Being a relative newcomer to Linux I have successfully installed the latest version of python (2.3) - on my Suse 8.2 version of Linux - which came installed with Python 2.2.

However I find that tkinter is not installed (when I type idle I get no module named -tkinter).

How do I install tkinter and I suspect I also need tk?

The instructions I have talk about setting PATH but I have no idea what PATH is or how to set it or how to see what is currently in PATH (I guess it is like the PATH in DOS/Windows).

I should have checked for the existence of tkinter before installing the new version of python, but I just didn't think.

One more question, when I type python at a command prompt I get the new version of python I just installed - why is that? What has the installation changed to route python to the version I just installed - I am just curious.

Presumably any Suse applications that rely upon version 2.2 will still be able to find it?

Yes, the $PATH environment variable in Linux is similar to what you may be used to in MSWin. Your system will execute the first appropriately named executable that it encounters while traversing the defined path. Your new installation of python has either replaced the previous version, or it is being encountered first when you try to invoke it.

You can inspect your path variable by invoking: echo $PATH

You can manipulate your path (if you are feeling bold) by editting your .bashrc or .profile file in your home directory.