Apache HTTP Server/mod_python

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Notes: Discontinued, full of vulnerabilities and has a successor. No reason for keeping. (Discuss in Talk:Apache HTTP Server/mod python)
Warning: mod_python is discontinued and have multiple security, performance and stability issues. It is strongly recommended to use mod_wsgi instead.

Mod_python is an Apache HTTP Server module that embeds the Python interpreter within the server. With mod_python you can write web-based applications in Python that will run many times faster than traditional CGI and will have access to advanced features such as ability to retain database connections and other data between hits and access to Apache internals. A more detailed description of what mod_python can do is available in this O'Reilly article.

Installation

Install the mod_pythonAUR package in the AUR.

Configuration

  • Add this line to /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf:
LoadModule python_module modules/mod_python.so
  • Restart Apache
# httpd -k restart
  • Check to make sure that Apache loaded correctly

Test Mod_Python

  • Add this block to /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf:
<Directory /home/www/html> 
   AddHandler mod_python .py
   PythonHandler mod_python.publisher 
   PythonDebug On 
</Directory>
  • Create a file in /home/www/html/ called mptest.py and add this as contents:
from mod_python import apache
def handler(req):
    req.content_type = 'text/plain'
    req.send_http_header()
    req.write("Hello World!")
    return apache.OK
  • Restart Apache
# apachectl restart
  • Check to make sure that Apache loaded correctly
Hello World!

With the configuration written above, you can also point your browser to any URL ending in .py in the test directory. You can for example point your browser to /foobar.py and it will be handled by mptest.py.

See Also