[Python] Past command buffer gone in interpreter?

On Wed, 3 Oct 2001, Tod Fox wrote:

I am using Redhat 7.1. I was using the python installed by Redhat (1.5.2 I think), but I decided to upgrade to
2.1.1. It installed without any apparent problems and was able to run the test without any major failures. However,
a minor aspect of the interpreter has now changed; I can no longer use the up and down arrow keys to return to
past commands I have entered -- it prints garbage characters on the screen instead.

I can't tell if this is really an issue with python, or what could be causing this. I've tried to look through the
documentation for this kind of thing, but if I have missed something I will read it if it is pointed out to me.

Tod Fox <vulpine at dontspam.earthling.net> schrub:

I am using Redhat 7.1. I was using the python installed by Redhat
(1.5.2 I think), but I decided to upgrade to 2.1.1. It installed
without any apparent problems and was able to run the test without any
major failures. However, a minor aspect of the interpreter has now
changed; I can no longer use the up and down arrow keys to return to
past commands I have entered -- it prints garbage characters on the
screen instead.

I can't tell if this is really an issue with python, or what could be
causing this. I've tried to look through the documentation for this
kind of thing, but if I have missed something I will read it if it is
pointed out to me.

Markus Schaber wrote:
Tod Fox <vulpine at dontspam.earthling.net> schrub:
It seems that your Python version is compiled without readline support.
If you did compile it yourself, check your configure options, otherwise
check the location you got the packages whether they offer a version
compiled with readline support.

Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams wrote:
On Wed, 3 Oct 2001, Tod Fox wrote:
Did you install from RPM, SRPM, or tarball, and if RPM or SRPM, where did you
get it from?

On Wed, 3 Oct 2001, Tod Fox wrote:

Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams wrote:
I compiled it from a tarball. Someone else has suggested I didn't compile it with
'readline' turned on. I will look into this...

On Thu, 4 Oct 2001, Jan Samohyl wrote:

A friend of mine has a similar problem, cursor keys that stop working within the interactive mode. He tried python2.2a3
on both redhat 7.0 and 7.1 and on debian. Also, the strangiest thing is that in one case it worked only for root. He said
it _was_ compiled with readline. I am using the same version redhat 6.1 and everything ok.