py39-tkinter: _tkinter.TclError: no display name and no $DISPLAY environment variable

[programmingkidx]

I installed the py39-tkinter port and tried to run idle. What happened is I saw this error message in Python3.9:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/opt/local/bin/idle", line 5, in <module>
    main()
  File "/opt/local/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.9/lib/python3.9/idlelib/pyshell.py", line 1490, in main
    root = Tk(className="Idle")
  File "/opt/local/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.9/lib/python3.9/tkinter/__init__.py", line 2270, in __init__
    self.tk = _tkinter.create(screenName, baseName, className, interactive, wantobjects, useTk, sync, use)
_tkinter.TclError: no display name and no $DISPLAY environment variable

My info:

Core i7 MacBook Pro

Mac OS 10.14.6

Python 3.9

[ryandesign (Ryan Carsten Schmidt)]

It works fine for me on macOS 10.15, but I have an X11 server installed. Do you? If not, you can do so by installing the xorg-server port and following the instructions it prints.

[ned-deily (Ned Deily)]

Or you could install tk using the quartz variant which does not use X11 at all.

port install tk +quartz

Side question: is there a reason that the default MacPorts tk variant is x11? The quartz variant has been standard on macOS for years and the x11 version is barely usable on macOS with its many quirks. I would think very few users would really want the x11 version and, even if they do, it's very easy for them to build it from source with port.

[ryandesign (Ryan Carsten Schmidt)]

Switching from +x11 to +quartz by default is discussed in #60511.

[programmingkidx]

I do not have an X11 server installed.

[ryandesign (Ryan Carsten Schmidt)]

Ok, well either install one or use the +quartz variant.