SUNWapch2u, SUNWPython, and mod_python mismatched expat issue

It is fantastic that Sun have shipped a recent version of Python with Solaris 10 8/07. Unfortunately it seems the SUNWapch2u package builders aren't talking to the SUNWPython package builders which has resulted in the well documented “Expat Causing Apache Crash” issue when you try to build mod_python linked against SUNWapch2u and SUNWPython.

The mismatched expat versions used by each are:

• SUNWapch2u: expat 1.95.2
• SUNWPython: expat 1.95.8
• SUNWlexpt: expat 1.95.7 (neither apache or python use this but it is there just to add to the confusion)

In order to build a working mod_python you will have to compile your own copy of expat 1.95.8 as well as your own apache2 ensuring that you pass the “--with-expat=...” option to apache2's configure script.

I've opened a case with Sun to see if they'll fix this. Watch this blog for updates.

Update 2007.11.13: Changed SUNWapache2 to correct package name SUNWapch2u.

Update 2008.06.17:

With the release of the following Solaris 10 patches the issue describe above has been resolved:

• 120543-11 SunOS 5.10: Apache 2 Patch fixes Bug ID 6630259 "If Python and Apache 2 are used together with libexpat, httpd crashes".
• 137147-04 SunOS 5.10: libexpat patch updates libexpat to version 2.0.x.
• 121606-03 GNOME 2.6.0: Python patch fixes Bug ID 6630230 "Link Python dynamically to /usr/sfw/lib/libexpat.so".

This combination of patches allows you to build your own mod_python linked against Sun's apache2 and python 2.4. If you can wait for Bug ID 6630237 "Supply mod_python with Apache 2" to be delivered then you won't even have to do that!