How to install curses in pyenv?

[TylerTemp]

Is there a way that I can install curses module for pyenv?

For it's not installed by default:

$ pyenv version
3.4.1 (set by /home/xxx/Documents/docarg/.python-version)
$ python
Python 3.4.1 ...
>>> import curses
Traceback (most recent call last):
    ...
File "/home/xxx/.pyenv/versions/3.4.1/lib/python3.4/curses/__init__.py", line 13, in <module>
    from _curses import *
ImportError: No module named '_curses'
>>> quit()
$ /usr/bin/python3.4
Python 3.4.0 ...
>>> import curses
>>>

So I tried to copy relative files from system's python3 lib to pyenv lib:

$ cp -rf /usr/lib/python3.4/lib-dynload/ ~/.pyenv/versions/3.4.1/lib/python3.4/lib-dynload/
$ cp -rf /usr/lib/python3.4/curses/ ~/.pyenv/versions/3.4.1/lib/python3.4/curses
$ sudo chmod -R777 ~/.pyenv/versions/3.4.1/lib/python3.4/lib-dynload
$ sudo chmod -R 777 ~/.pyenv/versions/3.4.1/lib/python3.4/curses

Still gives error ImportError: No module named '_curses'.
And pip install curses not work either...

Any help? Thx a lot
Ubuntu 14.04 & pyenv 20140825

[yyuu]

The C modules of Python is not a script file and it must not work even if you just copy it. You must rebuild the Python and modules against system's curses library.

The lack of library or development headers of curses (e.g. libncursesw5-dev) might causes those issues. Please confirm if you have enough package for the module.

[JGroselle]

Hi, I have the same issue.
I'm trying to use Glances in pyenv. Install is OK but when I run it :

$ glances
CRITICAL: Curses module not found. Glances cannot start in standalone mode.

$ pyenv local
3.4.3

$ pip list
bottle (0.12.8)
Glances (2.3)
pip (6.1.1)
psutil (2.2.1)
setuptools (12.0.5)

$ python
Python 3.4.3 (default, Apr 13 2015, 16:30:57)
[GCC 4.9.1] on linux
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import curses
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
  File "/home/xxx/.pyenv/versions/3.4.3/lib/python3.4/curses/__init__.py", line 13, in <module>
    from _curses import *
ImportError: No module named '_curses'

You said :

You must rebuild the Python and modules against system's curses library.

How can I rebuild this module in my pyenv please ?

[alibitek]

@JGroselle
You need to install the development headers for the ncurses library and build the Python version you want again.

Try this:

sudo apt-get install libncurses5 libncurses5-dev libncursesw5
pyenv uninstall 3.4.3
pyenv install 3.4.3
pyenv local 3.4.3
pip install glances

[rghv]

An apt-get install libncurses5 libncurses5-dev libncursesw5 followed by a reinstallation of pyenv solved the problem.

[pintiliea]

I tried this and it doesn't work on Debian Jessie :/

[mvanderlee]

Commenting here since it was the first place I tried for a solution.

If you're using LinuxBrew, try this solution: #1479 (comment)