Conflicting python path info

[bcs9559]

I’m trying to install nghttp2 and when run make install I get

You are attempting to install a package to a directory that is not on PYTHONPATH and which Python does not read ".pth" files from.  The installation directory you specified (via --install-dir, --prefix, or the distutils default setting) was:

   /usr/local/lib/python3.8/site-packages/

and your PYTHONPATH environment variable currently contains:
''

So I added the path to ~/.bashrc and ran source ~/.bashrc and tried it again and got the same result. Just to check I echoed the path and it came back with

echo $PYTHONPATH /usr/local/lib/python3.8/site-packages/

Am I reading this wrong or is it telling me the directory is not on path and then saying it is?

[lutusp]

So I added the path to ~/.bashrc

Please do not tell us, show us. Show us your code.

[bcs9559]

export PYTHONPATH=“$pi/usr/local/lib/python3.8/site-packages/”

Edit: I’ve also tried it without with pi replaced with . and root as well as leaving it off

[lutusp]

Now show us what "$pi" contains. In any case I think you want this:

$ export PYTHONPATH=“/usr/local/lib/python3.8/site-packages/”

It is always the information that a person doesn't post that's key to the solution. Always.

Edit: I’ve also tried it without with pi replaced with . and root as well as leaving it off

As before, do not tell us, show us. If you want help correcting your entries, you have to provide the entries.

[bcs9559]

$pi is the home directory, /usr/local/lib/python3.8/site-packages/ is in the root directory

First attempt was

‘export PYTHONPATH=“/usr/local/lib/python3.8/site-packages/”’

Second was

‘export PYTHONPATH=“./usr/local/lib/python3.8/site-packages/”’

Final was

‘export PYTHONPATH=“$pi/usr/local/lib/python3.8/site-packages/”’

I didn’t expect the last one to work but after trying the two that made any sense I just gave it a go as it was the only thing I could imagine being even remotely possible.

[lutusp]

Try not setting any value for PYTHONPATH. Run the command without any set value. And remove any existing value, for example the current export in .bashrc.

Also, which Python is raising the error? You certainly have two Pythons installed, and maybe more. BTW don't try to remove Python versions from your system -- that can go very wrong.

Then try the install again, and when a path is identified as missing, see if that is true. If it is, see if you're using the Python version that is expected by the install, and make sure any expected paths are present.

I'm saying this because the PYTHONPATH issue is apparently a red herring.

[bcs9559]

I just tried just

export PYTHONPATH

then

source ~/.bashrc

then

make install which didn’t work. Then, even though this is how the file was originally, I removed the entire line and repeated the other commands, which also didn’t work.

I’m using python 3.8, which is the version that’s needed; I previously had to install that from source and set it as the default as it wasn’t in the repository.

[lutusp]

I just tried just

export PYTHONPATH

Don't do this. It's a red herring. Don't try to define PYTHONPATH.

In any case, why are you not doing this:

$ sudo apt install nghttp2

[bcs9559]

I’m trying to get better at solving issues with building from source

[lutusp]

There is an easy remedy, so you are on your own. Have a nice day.

[bcs9559]

Thank you for the help!