Fatal error: Python.h: No such file or directory

A step-by-step solution

1. Install Python Development Headers

To seamlessly compile Python C extensions, ensure installing Python development headers that match your current Python version. Such a step bolsters library integration. For instance, python3.8-dev is used for Python 3.8.

2. Verify Dev Packages Version

Meticulously check the installed dev package version. It should align with your Python's major and minor release numbers. Mixing up versions could lead to a Pandora's box of perplexing errors.

3. Global Installation of Python Headers

Conduct a global installation of Python headers and libraries. This ensures they are accessible to the compiler regardless of your directory location.

4. Address Header Absence

Despite installing the headers, if Python.h remains elusive, consider including the Python include directory manually in your compilation using -I/usr/include/python<version> and link the Python library using -lpython<version>.

Handling odd issues

Simple solution not enough? Here are some detailed strategies for unusual cases:

• Python Version Inconsistencies: Ensure the dev package's version corresponds to the Python version utilized for compiling.
• System-Specific Packages: Some distros employ different package names. In Ubuntu, you may require libpython3.x-dev.
• Building Shared Libraries: Use Python dev headers to create shared libraries from C extensions.
• Fedora-Specific Headers: For Python 3 on Fedora, run sudo dnf install python3-devel to get the headers.

Taking compilation to the next level

While installing dev packages generally resolves Python.h absence, some circumstances call for a more advanced approach.

Using Virtual Environments

For virtual environments, carefully manage dependencies to ensure the headers and libraries are available in include paths.

Python Library Linking

You may need to link against the Python library for some complex compilation scenarios. Apply -lpython<version> to access the Python API.

Handling Non-standard Paths

For non-standard Python installations, use -I to indicate the include directory for Python header files. Similarly, -L can handle the library path.