Can ArcGIS and OSGeo4W share the same python install?

Question

I don't like unnecessary duplication. Is it possible to install python only once and have both ArcGIS and OSGeo4W use it?

Answer 1

This is how I did it for ArcGIS 9.3 and Osgeo4W with pythons 2.5 through 2.7:

1. Uninstall existing arcgis python (or remove registery entries).
2. Open an o4w command shell and run register-python.py
3. Install pywin32 for corresponding python (*win32-py2.5.exe at the moment)
4. Grab the arcgisscripting.py script written by Philippe Le Grand (taken from this thread in the ESRI scripting forum) and plop it into C:\Python2.5\Lib\site-packages

You might need to add C:\path\to\ArcGIS\bin to PYTHONPATH, depending on what arc python modules you use.

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Answer 2

It should be. Citing from ESRI system requirements:

Python Requirement for Geoprocessing: Several ArcGIS geoprocessing tools, such as Multiple Ring Buffer, use the Python scripting language and require that Python is installed. If the ArcGIS Desktop, Engine or Server setups do not find Python 2.5.1 on the target computer, it will install Python 2.5.1 plus Numerical Python 1.0.3 during a typical or complete installation. You may choose a Custom installation to unselect the Python feature to avoid installing this feature. See the install guide for additional information concerning Python.

Using ArcGIS 9.3.1, Python 2.5.4 is (officially) supported

I have an install of ArcGIS including Python 2.4 plus OSGeo4W w/ Python 2.5. Using 2.5 causes some problems with certain geoprocessing tools - unfortunately which tools don't work depends on the method used for creating the geoprocessing object itself.