should I re-install python again for zlib module? [duplicate]

Question

This question already has answers here:

Installing distribute in Python 3.3 Ubuntu (2 answers)

Closed 8 years ago.

When installing distribute-0.6.49 with python3.3.2 in Ubuntu system, error encountered

....blablabla followed by...

"Compression requires the (missing) zlib module")
RuntimeError: Compression requires the (missing) zlib module

I have checked previous solutions that I need to install zlib package, but Should I re install my python again before that? can't I install zlib over it?

If re-installing of python needed, Where can I find python 3.3 with zlib already therein so that i can install python as usual?

Answer 1

If you are running ubuntu then it is usually recomended that you use the package from the package manager. You can get python 3 - currently 3.3.1 with either sudo apt-get install python3 if I recall correctly or by using the software centre.

I am reasonably sure that the default distribution includes zlib.

Python 3.3.1 (default, Apr 17 2013, 22:30:32) 
[GCC 4.7.3] on linux
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import zlib
>>> exit()

Answer 2

To compile Python with zlib support, you need to install the zlib1g-dev package so that Python can find the headers.

You'd need to re-install your source-compiled Python to take this along.