Script to install lastest version of Python on a Ubuntu/Debian system.

gistfile1.txt

# Make sure we have the basics.
sudo apt-get install build-essential

# Install the build dependencies for Python.
# Replace with python2.7 if your distro supports it.
sudo apt-get build-dep python2.6 python-gdbm python-bsddb3

# Use pythonbrew to actually compile Python.
curl -kL http://xrl.us/pythonbrewinstall | bash
pythonbrew install 2.7.2
pythonbrew switch 2.7.2
pip install virtualenv
pip install virtualenvwrapper

# The next step is to configure virtualenvwrapper. Add this to your .bashrc:
if [[ -e $(\which virtualenvwrapper.sh) ]]; then
    export WORKON_HOME=$HOME/.virtualenvs
    export VIRTUALENV_USE_DISTRIBUTE=1
    export PIP_VIRTUALENV_BASE=$WORKON_HOME
    export PIP_RESPECT_VIRTUALENV=true
    export VIRTUALENVWRAPPER_VIRTUALENV_ARGS='--no-site-packages'
    source $(\which virtualenvwrapper.sh)
fi