Set python indent to 2 spaces in emacs 23?

Question

I am using emacs 23.1.1 on Ubuntu 10.04. I wish to program in Python with a 2-space indent. emacs looks to have a default mode for python (python.el?).

I put the follow

Answer 1

I just ran into this problem myself, and I think the help for python-indent contains a big clue that no one else mentioned:

See also `M-x python-guess-indent'

If you don't customize python-guess-indent by setting it to nil, then python.el will automatically set python-indent for each Python buffer (that contains indented text), making your python-indent customization ineffective. (On the other hand, when in Rome...)

In the end, this is what went into my .emacs file (ignoring all other custom variables):

(custom-set-variables
 '(python-guess-indent nil)
 '(python-indent 2))