Use of Python 2.7 in UT for ArcGIS

The scripting language Python 2.7 has reached its end-of-life with version 2.7.18 and is no longer maintained. Your IT department may ask you to uninstall Python 2.7 and/or update to Python 3. The following questions and answers explain why this is not possible when using UT for ArcGIS and what else you need to know.

Question 1:

What is the risk assessment of VertiGIS for the use of Python 2.7 in the environment of UT for ArcGIS?

Answer:

VertiGIS considers the risk of using Python 2.7 in the UT for ArcGIS environment to be very low.

The installation takes place on machines in the intranet. Even in the ArcGIS Server environment, access to the server and thus to the Python environment from the Internet is not possible due to the use of ArcGIS Web Adapter, reverse proxy, firewalls, etc.

The installation is carried out exclusively for the use of the installed ArcGIS product. The path of the Python installation is not entered in the PATH environment variable. If Python is also to be used outside of ArcGIS products, a current Python version must be installed in parallel and used for this purpose.

Question 2:

How long will ArcGIS Desktop be supported for VertiGIS customers in the Utilities area with regard to security vulnerabilities?

Answer:

With regard to critical, exploitable security vulnerabilities, Esri has made statements in the product life cycle for ArcMap, which also includes the “Mature Support” support phase.

"ArcMap 10.8.x enters mature support on March 1, 2024. During this phase, we will no longer provide functionality-based patches or hotfixes. Please note that 10.8.x is the final series of releases for ArcMap, and there are no plans for additional releases in the future. However, Esri may, at its discretion, make efforts to address critical, exploitable security vulnerabilities if commercially and technically feasible during the mature support phase. It's important to be aware that ArcMap is aging software that includes several 3rd party components with limited support. Consequently, there may be limitations on what we can address."

ArcMap Life Cycle

Regarding Python 2.7, you can find the following statement from Esri in a community post.

"Yes, if a Python-related security vulnerability were to be found, Esri will work to provide guidance or a patch to mitigate the vulnerability if technically possible."

Python 2.7 support and ArcMap end-of-life

Question 3:

Why can't a more recent version than Python 2.7 be rolled out in the context of UT for ArcGIS?

Answer:

UT Desktop Suite (UT Editor, UT Asset Manager, UT Data ETL) is based on ArcMap or ArcGIS Engine. UT Server is based on ArcGIS Server with ArcMap Runtime (up to version 10.9.1).

Each of these products comes with a specific version of Python. The replacement of these versions is not supported.

"It is not recommended to install an independent version of Python for use in ArcGIS Desktop. Using a different version of Python can lead to compatibility issues and root folder problems. It is not supported to replace the version of Python that ships with ArcGIS Server."

What version of Python is used in ArcGIS?

Esri already explained in 2019 in the following article that support for Python 3.x is not planned in these products.

"Is there a plan to move ArcMap to a supported version of Python (e.g., Python 3.x)?

No."

How sunsetting Python 2 affects ArcGIS

In the Esri documentation you will find the following information on Python in the system requirements.

ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap):

"ArcGIS requires Python 2.7.18 and Numerical Python 1.16.6 to be installed. If the ArcGIS setup does not find either Python 2.7.18 or Numerical Python (NumPy) 1.16.6 installed on the target computer, Python 2.7.18 and Numerical Python 1.16.6 will be installed during a complete installation."

ArcGIS Desktop 10.8.x system requirements - Software requirements

ArcGIS Engine:

"ArcGIS requires Python 2.7.18 and Numerical Python (NumPy) 1.16.6 to be installed. If the ArcGIS setup does not find either Python 2.7.18 or Numerical Python (NumPy) 1.16.6 installed on the target computer, Python 2.7.18 and Numerical Python 1.16.6 will be installed during a complete installation. You can choose a Custom installation to unselect the Python feature and avoid installing it. Additionally, if the Python setup is executed during the ArcGIS installation, you will be provided with the opportunity to choose its installation location. The Pythoninstallation location should not include spaces."

ArcGIS Engine 10.8.x system requirements - Software requirements

ArcGIS Server:

"To use the ArcMap-based geoprocessing tools that are installed with ArcGIS Server, you must enable ArcMap Runtime Support for the ArcGIS Server site."

ArcGIS Server 10.9.1 system requirements - Geoprocessing requirements

"At 10.9.1, you can disable ArcMap Runtime Support when installing ArcGIS Server or upgrading ArcGIS Server. You also have the option to disable or enable ArcMap Runtime Support after installation or upgrade following the steps below. Disabling the ArcMap Runtime Support feature will remove Python 2.x from your system, and enabling the feature will install Python 2.x."

Disable or enable ArcMap Runtime Support