Set Up Apache with mod_python in 3 Minutes: A Quick Backend Guide

This guide shows how to quickly set up an Apache server to run Python scripts using the mod_python module on a Linux system.

1. Install Apache

If Apache is not already installed, install it with apt-get install apache2. Ensure you have not made extensive customizations to the existing configuration.

Tip: If you compiled Apache yourself, adjust the paths and configuration accordingly.

2. Install mod_python module

The mod_python module embeds a Python interpreter in Apache, allowing Python scripts to be executed directly. Install it with apt-get install libapache2-mod-python.

After installation, verify that the module is loaded by checking /etc/apache2/mods-enabled/python.load.

3. Configure Apache to use Python for .py files

Edit the default site configuration file /etc/apache2/sites-enabled/000-default and add the following lines inside the <Directory> block:

Save the file and restart Apache:

Test

Create a file /var/www/hello.py with the following content:

Make the file executable (e.g., chmod 777 hello.py) and access it via a browser. Seeing “hello world!” indicates a successful setup.

Summary

If you encounter issues, check Apache’s log files located in /var/log/apache2/.