Feature Proposal : Make All Python Extensions User Configuration Independent (#1435)

* Updated all Python extension packages to use 'setup_py' on install.

* Fixed a few minor style issues with the updated Python packages.

87 files changed, 90 insertions, 99 deletions

diff --git a/share/spack/csh/convert-pyext.sh b/share/spack/csh/convert-pyext.sh
deleted file mode 100644
index a48bcdbcca..0000000000
--- a/share/spack/csh/convert-pyext.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-#!/bin/bash --noprofile
-PYEXT_REGEX=".*/.*/package.py"
-
-find var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/ -type f -regextype sed -regex ${PYEXT_REGEX} -exec \
-    sed -i 's/python('\''setup.py'\'', /setup_py(/' {} \;
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/fenics/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/fenics/package.py
index fd9a37df1b..1dc302fdff 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/fenics/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/fenics/package.py
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ class Fenics(Package):
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
         for package in ['ufl', 'ffc', 'fiat', 'instant']:
             with working_dir(join_path('depends', package)):
-                python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+                setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
 
         cmake_args = [
             '-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE:STRING={0}'.format(
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-3to2/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-3to2/package.py
index 1071a3c209..d0b6857aaf 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-3to2/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-3to2/package.py
@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ class Py3to2(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-SQLAlchemy/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-SQLAlchemy/package.py
index ca59105b4c..73e144b00e 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-SQLAlchemy/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-SQLAlchemy/package.py
@@ -36,4 +36,4 @@ class PySqlalchemy(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-argcomplete/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-argcomplete/package.py
index 2549972a6d..64312da9dc 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-argcomplete/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-argcomplete/package.py
@@ -36,4 +36,4 @@ class PyArgcomplete(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-astroid/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-astroid/package.py
index a47b7ffa33..ff5683c705 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-astroid/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-astroid/package.py
@@ -42,4 +42,4 @@ class PyAstroid(Package):
     depends_on('py-six', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-astropy/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-astropy/package.py
index 25dce87e49..1565db0bdd 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-astropy/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-astropy/package.py
@@ -56,6 +56,5 @@ class PyAstropy(Package):
     depends_on('expat')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'build', '--use-system-cfitsio',
-               '--use-system-expat')
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
+        setup_py('build', '--use-system-cfitsio', '--use-system-expat')
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-basemap/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-basemap/package.py
index 9c7f6454df..5b0026eda9 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-basemap/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-basemap/package.py
@@ -43,4 +43,4 @@ class PyBasemap(Package):
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
         env['GEOS_DIR'] = spec['geos'].prefix
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-beautifulsoup4/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-beautifulsoup4/package.py
index d3a260bd7f..71014b5bdb 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-beautifulsoup4/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-beautifulsoup4/package.py
@@ -40,4 +40,4 @@ class PyBeautifulsoup4(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-biopython/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-biopython/package.py
index c3edf9735b..9e1b693a0d 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-biopython/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-biopython/package.py
@@ -41,4 +41,4 @@ class PyBiopython(Package):
     depends_on('py-numpy', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-blessings/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-blessings/package.py
index e6fc6aa983..700c0ff4b3 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-blessings/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-blessings/package.py
@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ class PyBlessings(Package):
     extends("python")
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-bottleneck/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-bottleneck/package.py
index ad2ee749d3..20d78846bb 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-bottleneck/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-bottleneck/package.py
@@ -36,4 +36,4 @@ class PyBottleneck(Package):
     depends_on('py-numpy', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-cffi/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-cffi/package.py
index 7c08e51de8..5cd983b343 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-cffi/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-cffi/package.py
@@ -49,4 +49,4 @@ class PyCffi(Package):
         # building the shared library.
         os.environ['LDSHARED'] = "{0} -shared -pthread".format(spack_cc)
 
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-coverage/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-coverage/package.py
index 1a5b6df3d7..8cd8440b7e 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-coverage/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-coverage/package.py
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ class PyCoverage(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-csvkit/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-csvkit/package.py
index 5f50e3b6c2..5b0394a138 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-csvkit/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-csvkit/package.py
@@ -44,4 +44,4 @@ class PyCsvkit(Package):
     depends_on('py-openpyxl', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-cython/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-cython/package.py
index 4b3e1cabe1..e532286081 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-cython/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-cython/package.py
@@ -40,4 +40,4 @@ class PyCython(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-dask/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-dask/package.py
index 4bc2c6fc99..c72046b627 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-dask/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-dask/package.py
@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ class PyDask(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-dateutil/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-dateutil/package.py
index 40945232c1..f147e2357b 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-dateutil/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-dateutil/package.py
@@ -39,4 +39,4 @@ class PyDateutil(Package):
     depends_on('py-six', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-dbf/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-dbf/package.py
index 7f83bce75e..eff893cc82 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-dbf/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-dbf/package.py
@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ class PyDbf(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-decorator/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-decorator/package.py
index 9101b07a0d..30f764edc3 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-decorator/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-decorator/package.py
@@ -39,4 +39,4 @@ class PyDecorator(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-emcee/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-emcee/package.py
index 397f737cb1..2045ec9d59 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-emcee/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-emcee/package.py
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ class PyEmcee(Package):
     depends_on('py-numpy', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-epydoc/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-epydoc/package.py
index 9d4b93dad4..ed490cb396 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-epydoc/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-epydoc/package.py
@@ -36,4 +36,4 @@ class PyEpydoc(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-funcsigs/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-funcsigs/package.py
index c3d37f6b98..b82a37cae9 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-funcsigs/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-funcsigs/package.py
@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ class PyFuncsigs(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-genshi/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-genshi/package.py
index ea8d26c796..e7eb7bebdd 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-genshi/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-genshi/package.py
@@ -39,4 +39,4 @@ class PyGenshi(Package):
     depends_on("py-setuptools", type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-gnuplot/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-gnuplot/package.py
index a448a66e51..cc273103f2 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-gnuplot/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-gnuplot/package.py
@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ class PyGnuplot(Package):
     depends_on('py-numpy', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-h5py/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-h5py/package.py
index 90a67c51bd..0579787ba2 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-h5py/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-h5py/package.py
@@ -56,11 +56,10 @@ class PyH5py(Package):
     depends_on('py-six', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'configure',
-               '--hdf5={0}'.format(spec['hdf5'].prefix))
+        setup_py('configure', '--hdf5={0}'.format(spec['hdf5'].prefix))
 
         if '+mpi' in spec:
             env['CC'] = spec['mpi'].mpicc
-            python('setup.py', 'configure', '--mpi')
+            setup_py('configure', '--mpi')
 
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-iminuit/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-iminuit/package.py
index d7446c06d4..c58b722e3b 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-iminuit/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-iminuit/package.py
@@ -43,4 +43,4 @@ class PyIminuit(Package):
     depends_on('py-cython', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-ipython/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-ipython/package.py
index ac3291e21e..d7ee2e3c95 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-ipython/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-ipython/package.py
@@ -39,4 +39,4 @@ class PyIpython(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-jdcal/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-jdcal/package.py
index 32acf75131..60ee91c9b6 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-jdcal/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-jdcal/package.py
@@ -36,4 +36,4 @@ class PyJdcal(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-lockfile/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-lockfile/package.py
index b873625bdb..856276ec89 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-lockfile/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-lockfile/package.py
@@ -45,4 +45,4 @@ class PyLockfile(Package):
     depends_on("py-setuptools", type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-logilab-common/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-logilab-common/package.py
index ac1b933e43..e66cdc8479 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-logilab-common/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-logilab-common/package.py
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ class PyLogilabCommon(Package):
     depends_on("py-six", type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mako/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mako/package.py
index 18a8dc0e68..ed4ccc7364 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mako/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mako/package.py
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ class PyMako(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mistune/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mistune/package.py
index 399c10005e..2daee1ed9a 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mistune/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mistune/package.py
@@ -43,4 +43,4 @@ class PyMistune(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mock/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mock/package.py
index 2c70535f19..d397b72329 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mock/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mock/package.py
@@ -40,4 +40,4 @@ class PyMock(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools@17.1:', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mpi4py/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mpi4py/package.py
index 1f0e52804e..11b1584397 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mpi4py/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mpi4py/package.py
@@ -43,4 +43,4 @@ class PyMpi4py(Package):
     depends_on('mpi')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mpmath/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mpmath/package.py
index e5bae34694..846852aeb5 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mpmath/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mpmath/package.py
@@ -35,4 +35,4 @@ class PyMpmath(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mx/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mx/package.py
index f5631916f6..e72b281665 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mx/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mx/package.py
@@ -40,4 +40,4 @@ class PyMx(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mysqldb1/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mysqldb1/package.py
index 693fda6dbb..14534a57ca 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mysqldb1/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-mysqldb1/package.py
@@ -36,4 +36,4 @@ class PyMysqldb1(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-nestle/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-nestle/package.py
index 81f9fe4d09..03096586b9 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-nestle/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-nestle/package.py
@@ -41,4 +41,4 @@ class PyNestle(Package):
     depends_on('py-scipy', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-netcdf/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-netcdf/package.py
index e4f67d75a6..497f81f86d 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-netcdf/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-netcdf/package.py
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ class PyNetcdf(Package):
     depends_on('netcdf')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-networkx/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-networkx/package.py
index 79ad420f8f..aaeaac9674 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-networkx/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-networkx/package.py
@@ -39,4 +39,4 @@ class PyNetworkx(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-nose/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-nose/package.py
index eb3dd77219..f1872c85b4 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-nose/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-nose/package.py
@@ -40,4 +40,4 @@ class PyNose(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-numexpr/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-numexpr/package.py
index b3b2e1d47d..51b4ef2e92 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-numexpr/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-numexpr/package.py
@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ class PyNumexpr(Package):
     depends_on('py-numpy', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-openpyxl/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-openpyxl/package.py
index fa32cb879f..94949076ef 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-openpyxl/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-openpyxl/package.py
@@ -39,4 +39,4 @@ class PyOpenpyxl(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pandas/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pandas/package.py
index 37234ae652..ae797cee40 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pandas/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pandas/package.py
@@ -51,4 +51,4 @@ class PyPandas(Package):
     depends_on('py-bottleneck', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pbr/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pbr/package.py
index a0cfe0e5a5..0251e436b1 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pbr/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pbr/package.py
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ class PyPbr(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-periodictable/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-periodictable/package.py
index 51d9cc2046..4a5b015e60 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-periodictable/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-periodictable/package.py
@@ -39,4 +39,4 @@ class PyPeriodictable(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pexpect/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pexpect/package.py
index 8a99c0473b..9e43e4526e 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pexpect/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pexpect/package.py
@@ -35,4 +35,4 @@ class PyPexpect(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-phonopy/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-phonopy/package.py
index d5b3313a98..a4ad03f34d 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-phonopy/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-phonopy/package.py
@@ -40,4 +40,4 @@ class PyPhonopy(Package):
     depends_on('py-pyyaml', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--home=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--home=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pil/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pil/package.py
index 29a86d1e85..f5d684962d 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pil/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pil/package.py
@@ -43,4 +43,4 @@ class PyPil(Package):
     depends_on('python@1.5.2:2.8')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pillow/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pillow/package.py
index 211e3b4199..3125a822b4 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pillow/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pillow/package.py
@@ -129,5 +129,5 @@ class PyPillow(Package):
         variants = ['jpeg', 'zlib', 'tiff', 'freetype', 'lcms', 'jpeg2000']
         build_args = list(map(variant_to_flag, variants))
 
-        python('setup.py', 'build_ext', *build_args)
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
+        setup_py('build_ext', *build_args)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-ply/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-ply/package.py
index 47cd3b5dc8..d249de64fa 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-ply/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-ply/package.py
@@ -35,4 +35,4 @@ class PyPly(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pmw/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pmw/package.py
index e0a332a6bf..5173864f62 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pmw/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pmw/package.py
@@ -36,4 +36,4 @@ class PyPmw(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-prettytable/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-prettytable/package.py
index fa1c17ae8c..55a323a0d6 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-prettytable/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-prettytable/package.py
@@ -40,4 +40,4 @@ class PyPrettytable(Package):
     depends_on("py-setuptools", type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-protobuf/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-protobuf/package.py
index dd2b5651de..d1186775bb 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-protobuf/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-protobuf/package.py
@@ -47,4 +47,4 @@ class PyProtobuf(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-py2neo/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-py2neo/package.py
index 97632493af..aed0859021 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-py2neo/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-py2neo/package.py
@@ -43,4 +43,4 @@ class PyPy2neo(Package):
     extends("python")
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pychecker/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pychecker/package.py
index e81c3dbc9b..b1f8aad33f 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pychecker/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pychecker/package.py
@@ -35,4 +35,4 @@ class PyPychecker(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pycparser/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pycparser/package.py
index ef1b772ffc..e7b91f4495 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pycparser/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pycparser/package.py
@@ -36,4 +36,4 @@ class PyPycparser(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pydatalog/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pydatalog/package.py
index da157d3679..b2203ae04c 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pydatalog/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pydatalog/package.py
@@ -35,4 +35,4 @@ class PyPydatalog(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pyelftools/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pyelftools/package.py
index bf781daf83..96a5645541 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pyelftools/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pyelftools/package.py
@@ -36,4 +36,4 @@ class PyPyelftools(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pylint/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pylint/package.py
index c505d44530..10f60f0ab9 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pylint/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pylint/package.py
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ class PyPylint(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pypar/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pypar/package.py
index 6fef71304c..90d1f957b6 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pypar/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pypar/package.py
@@ -39,4 +39,4 @@ class PyPypar(Package):
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
         with working_dir('source'):
-            python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+            setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pyparsing/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pyparsing/package.py
index 67d255b02d..c3b4432d33 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pyparsing/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pyparsing/package.py
@@ -35,4 +35,4 @@ class PyPyparsing(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pytables/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pytables/package.py
index f87e74211f..289d76242b 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pytables/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pytables/package.py
@@ -42,4 +42,4 @@ class PyPytables(Package):
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
         env["HDF5_DIR"] = spec['hdf5'].prefix
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-python-daemon/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-python-daemon/package.py
index a30dc00ba4..c696b7490b 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-python-daemon/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-python-daemon/package.py
@@ -47,4 +47,4 @@ class PyPythonDaemon(Package):
     depends_on("py-lockfile", type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pyyaml/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pyyaml/package.py
index 8da391fac1..d760fcaae9 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pyyaml/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-pyyaml/package.py
@@ -35,4 +35,4 @@ class PyPyyaml(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-restview/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-restview/package.py
index 047214c58e..9b0bd437c0 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-restview/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-restview/package.py
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ class PyRestview(Package):
     depends_on('py-pygments', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-rpy2/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-rpy2/package.py
index f86d813766..9db55e949b 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-rpy2/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-rpy2/package.py
@@ -44,4 +44,4 @@ class PyRpy2(Package):
     depends_on('R')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-scientificpython/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-scientificpython/package.py
index e2273dc164..6e8b9d38c1 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-scientificpython/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-scientificpython/package.py
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ class PyScientificpython(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-scikit-image/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-scikit-image/package.py
index fbeb5c95ca..124d2ec4b7 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-scikit-image/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-scikit-image/package.py
@@ -45,4 +45,4 @@ class PyScikitImage(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-scikit-learn/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-scikit-learn/package.py
index 3cd7ea74f3..09318a6c56 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-scikit-learn/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-scikit-learn/package.py
@@ -41,4 +41,4 @@ class PyScikitLearn(Package):
     depends_on('py-scipy', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-shiboken/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-shiboken/package.py
index 0713f26ebc..c6c23acd33 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-shiboken/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-shiboken/package.py
@@ -64,6 +64,4 @@ class PyShiboken(Package):
             'shiboken_postinstall.py')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install',
-               '--prefix=%s' % prefix,
-               '--jobs=%s' % make_jobs)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix, '--jobs=%s' % make_jobs)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-sncosmo/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-sncosmo/package.py
index feb3856e8b..d5e32fd5e2 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-sncosmo/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-sncosmo/package.py
@@ -48,4 +48,4 @@ class PySncosmo(Package):
     depends_on('py-nestle', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-storm/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-storm/package.py
index 0e972480f3..74fb2add0d 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-storm/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-storm/package.py
@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ class PyStorm(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-sympy/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-sympy/package.py
index 3d8b86ac4d..7d1b016263 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-sympy/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-sympy/package.py
@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ class PySympy(Package):
     depends_on('py-mpmath', when='@1.0:')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-tappy/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-tappy/package.py
index 03e9528ad7..c195d08fd9 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-tappy/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-tappy/package.py
@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ class PyTappy(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-tuiview/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-tuiview/package.py
index 5caf3ff143..e20de3ff79 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-tuiview/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-tuiview/package.py
@@ -41,4 +41,4 @@ class PyTuiview(Package):
     depends_on("gdal")
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-twisted/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-twisted/package.py
index edf1e7b0d7..80023c2123 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-twisted/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-twisted/package.py
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ class PyTwisted(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-unittest2/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-unittest2/package.py
index 174ab0ca5f..ddd50a37d4 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-unittest2/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-unittest2/package.py
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ class PyUnittest2(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-unittest2py3k/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-unittest2py3k/package.py
index 95e6dcbff0..4aee545d74 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-unittest2py3k/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-unittest2py3k/package.py
@@ -39,4 +39,4 @@ class PyUnittest2py3k(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-urwid/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-urwid/package.py
index 943fb250f6..61dec3f1cd 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-urwid/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-urwid/package.py
@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ class PyUrwid(Package):
     extends("python")
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-virtualenv/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-virtualenv/package.py
index 0ed567df95..f373067144 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-virtualenv/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-virtualenv/package.py
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ class PyVirtualenv(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-wcsaxes/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-wcsaxes/package.py
index 9588b879fa..ddc10d3e22 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-wcsaxes/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-wcsaxes/package.py
@@ -40,4 +40,4 @@ class PyWcsaxes(Package):
     depends_on('py-astropy', type=nolink)
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix={0}'.format(prefix))
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-wheel/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-wheel/package.py
index f0ad340835..ce495bf6d0 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-wheel/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-wheel/package.py
@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ class PyWheel(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-xlrd/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-xlrd/package.py
index 81c3c928c0..9638b8a36b 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-xlrd/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-xlrd/package.py
@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ class PyXlrd(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-yapf/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-yapf/package.py
index bc26b82b07..eab4d54abc 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-yapf/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/py-yapf/package.py
@@ -37,4 +37,4 @@ class PyYapf(Package):
     depends_on('py-setuptools', type='build')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
diff --git a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/scons/package.py b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/scons/package.py
index 2c32bde4a1..d20e529384 100644
--- a/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/scons/package.py
+++ b/var/spack/repos/builtin/packages/scons/package.py
@@ -35,4 +35,4 @@ class Scons(Package):
     extends('python')
 
     def install(self, spec, prefix):
-        python('setup.py', 'install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)
+        setup_py('install', '--prefix=%s' % prefix)