python pip: no distributions at all found for an existing package

Question

I am trying to install the ScientificPython package into a newly installed distribution of Python on a Fedora 14 x64 system. Pip finds ScientificPython in the repository but does not want to install it

[bin]$ sudo ./python2.7 ./pip search ScientificPython
ScientificPython          - Various Python modules for scientific computing

[bin]$ sudo ./python2.7 ./pip install ScientificPython
Downloading/unpacking ScientificPython
  Could not find any downloads that satisfy the requirement ScientificPython
No distributions at all found for ScientificPython
Storing complete log in /tmp/tmpDLdmjy

Why could this happen?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Have a look at the ScientificPython entry on pypi and you will find that it only contains a link to their project page, no downloadable package or egg (which pip would need to install from). That's why pip told you Could not find any downloads. You will have to install by hand following their instructions.

Bottom line: if pip search lists a given package that doesn't necessarily mean you can pip install it (in most cases you fortunately can).