[Python-Dev] Add python.exe to PATH environment variable (original) (raw)

Terry Reedy tjreedy at udel.edu
Tue Sep 2 23:14:08 CEST 2008

Tarek Ziadé wrote:

So I don't see any good reason (besides the technical complexity)

Unless and until someone is able and willing to deal with the technical complexity, that would seem to be a sufficient reason.

to [not, I presume] add it to the Windows installer.

So I would love to see this ticket open again; I personnaly would be in favor of an automatic change of PATH by the installer.

Martin said he would discuss a patch when there is a patch to discuss. He feels strongly about there being a clean uninstall, including PATH restoration if it is changed.

The problem is that a) the Window's way to run user apps is via icons and menus and that b) the old DOS path/command way, based on Unix, has been neglected.

An alternative to manipulating PATH would be to make and add to the Start Menu a Command Prompt shortcut, call it Command Window or something, that starts in the Python directory. Then one could enter

python or >Scripts/goforit without chdir-ing to the Python directory first. The background could even be set to green, for instance, to differentiate it from the standard Command Prompt window.

Terry Jan Reedy

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