Installing Python 2.7.8 on CentOS 6.x where Python 2.6.x is the current version

python2_7_8_alongside_python2_6_on_CentOS

# Python 2.7.8 alongside 2.6 in CentOS
# based on Juliano Resende's tutorial at http://www.gorobei.net/instalando-o-python-2-7-8-no-centos-6-x/

# Make sure that your user is on sudoers and wheel group
$ usermod -G wheel usuario

# Some installing before going to python it self
$ yum update
$ yum install gcc44 gcc44-c++ gcc44-gfortran
$ yum install -y zlib-devel bzip2-devel openssl-devel xz-libs wget
$ yum groupinstall -y 'development tools'

# Downloading and installing Python 2.7.8
$ wget https://www.python.org/ftp/python/2.7.8/Python-2.7.8.tar.xz
$ xz -d Python-2.7.8.tar.xz && tar -xvf Python-2.7.8.tar

# Making it a alternative in CentOS
$ ./configure --prefix=/usr/local && make && make altinstall

# Getting Setuptools
$ wget https://bootstrap.pypa.io/ez_setup.py -O - | python2.7

# Getting PIP
$ wget https://bootstrap.pypa.io/get-pip.py -O - | python2.7

# Install virtualenv and virtualenvwrapper
$ pip install virtualenv
$ pip install virtualenvwrapper

# Set your .bash_profile so virtualenvwrapper use python2.7
$ export WORKON_HOME=$HOME/www/.virtualenvs
$ export PROJECT_HOME=$HOME/www

$ export VIRTUALENVWRAPPER_PYTHON=/usr/local/bin/python2.7
$ export VIRTUALENVWRAPPER_VIRTUALENV=/usr/local/bin/virtualenv
$ source /usr/local/bin/virtualenvwrapper.sh

# Salve, exit and run
$ source ~/.bash_profile

# You're good to go!