On the python.org website it says that python3 has issues with the tcl/tk framework supplied with the operating system (I am running OS X 10.8). The following is taken from the python.org website http://www.python.org/getit/mac/tcltk/:
[I]Important
If you are using Python from a python.org 64-bit/32-bit Python installer for Mac OS X 10.6 and later, you should only use IDLE or tkinter with an updated third-party Tcl/Tk 8.5, like ActiveTcl 8.5 installed.[/I]
From the same page further down where it describes the installation process:
In either case, the dynamically linking occurs when tkinter (Python 3) or Tkinter (Python 2) is first imported (specifically, the internal _tkinter C extension module). By default, the Mac OS X dynamic linker looks first in /Library/Frameworks for Tcl and Tk frameworks with the proper major version. This is the standard location for third-party or built from source frameworks, including the ActiveTcl releases. If frameworks of the proper major version are not found there, the dynamic linker looks for the same version in /System/Library/Frameworks, the location for Apple-supplied frameworks shipped with Mac OS X. (Note, you should normally not modify or delete files in /System/Library.)
Warning at the download link here http://www.python.org/download/releases/3.3.3/:
Mac OS X 64-bit/32-bit Installer (3.3.3) for Mac OS X 10.6 and later [2] (sig). [You may need an updated Tcl/Tk install to run IDLE or use Tkinter, see note 2 for instructions.]
I have downloaded the ActiveTcl 8.5.15.0 and followed the installation instructions, however, IDLE still warns me that it is using version 8.5.9 which is the one that causes the errors/bugs. I looked in the two locations the description says the frameworks should be. The Library/Frameworks/… location has the updated and proper version BUT the /System/Library/Frameworks does NOT and it seems that is where IDLE is looking for the current framework. The installation description says “you should normall not modify or delete files in /System/Library” but that is where the python is pulling the tcl/tk framework from and it is the older version that causes bugs.
I am trying to learn python, but this certainly puts a damper on things because I am running an unstable framework for the tcl/tk side of things. I was wondering if I could simply copy the files over to the /System/Library… location and change the “Current” link to the newer folder. Is there anything wrong with this idea? Or does anyone have another idea?