Pip install - locale.Error: unsupported locale setting

Locale Gloacale // Locale what? Exactly, read on

Locale settings, think of them like the settings on your phone, helps your systems and applications to communicate in the same language (think en_US.UTF-8, fr_FR.UTF-8, you get it). But, sometimes you just need that common "language", that’s where C comes into play 🌎.

Permanent Locale Settings // ain't nobody got time for temporary settings

While the above quick fix will help temporarily, we need a permanent adjustment. For that, add the exports into your .bashrc or equivalent:

echo "export LC_ALL=C" >> ~/.bashrc
echo "export LANG=C" >> ~/.bashrc
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Now you don't have to reconfigure it every time, try pip install after the source outro:

source ~/.bashrc
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Externally logged onto SSH sessions will now be less of a headache.

Locale configs // don't worry, it's not rocket science

We dive little deeper. Checking available and current locale settings can tell a whole lot of under the hood story.

# It's like checking all the labels in your wardrobe
locale -a

# And deciding what to wear for the installation party
locale
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In case sudo locale-gen en_US.UTF-8, and sudo dpkg-reconfigure locales can add en_US.UTF-8 to your locale wardrobe.

Python-Specific Locale Settings // Python says, "I have my own rules"

For Python 2.7, you can unset LC_ALL:

unset LC_ALL  # It's like saying, "I don't need these rules"
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But if you are using Python 3.4 and above, ensure your Python version and pip installation is as snug as a bug in a rug 🐛.

python3 --version  # Checking the Python version, because who wants an outdated Python?
pip --version      # Making sure pip is working and ready to roll
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Facing issues with virtualenv? Could be your locale setting conflicts within the environment.

It's not me, it's you // System and environment considerations

Your system like that party pooper friend might have a role to play in this whole drama as well.

OS Compatibility // Ketchup and ice cream, anyone?

Your server's operating system and Python might not go together like ketchup and fries but rather like ketchup and ice cream 🍦. So ensure you have your compatibilities checked before a full serving of Python.

# Don't be shy, use curl to download Python 3.4, just remember to tip (verify checksums)!
curl -O https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.4.10/Python-3.4.10.tgz
# ...
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Locale settings over servers // Yes, they have feelings too

In a server environment it's important to define the locale:

# Think of it like telling the server, "Here are the rules of my game"
echo 'LANG=en_US.UTF-8' | sudo tee /etc/default/locale

# Okay now play by them
. /etc/default/locale  
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Troubleshooting Bullseye // Eye on the problem, hands on the solution

Face it, you wouldn't be here if there weren't any issues right? Let's get to it.

In Python we trust // Python builtin locale configuration

Python's setlocale is our trusted partner in crime here:

# It's like swiping right on 'en_US.UTF-8' on Tinder for locales
import locale
locale.setlocale(locale.LC_ALL, 'en_US.UTF-8')
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Checking /etc/locale.gen comes handy too, you wouldn't want to swipe right on a locale profile that doesn't exist!

# It's like checking if 'en_US.UTF-8' has swiped right on you too 
grep 'en_US.UTF-8' /etc/locale.gen
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Locale-def, your flexible friend // just don't call it at 2 am

For those who love a bit of manual tweaking, localedef is your friend.

# Asking for help, because why not
localedef --help
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Just remember to match the pattern of your locale definitions with setlocale() expectations in Python, and you can have a happily ever after!