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

Mark Hammond mhammond at skippinet.com.au
Wed Sep 3 04:22:55 CEST 2008

Mark Hammond <mhammond skippinet.com.au> writes: > > > > The reason for adding the directory to the PATH is for it to be > > recognized in any command prompt, not only the Python-dedicated > > command prompt shortcut. > > Actually, that is your reason for adding it to the global path.

What do you mean? Are there other practical reasons than the above for adding the directory to the PATH?

My point was that it applies to much more than command-prompts. There are pratical reasons for adding entries to your global PATH that don't include the ability to run executables at the command-line.

What do you mean by "get confused about the files that might appear in those directories"?

I mean that many Windows use the PATH, and as such, may fail if a new directory is added to the PATH that contains a DLL they indirectly use.

I don't need any program except a command-prompt to be able to locate a 'python.exe', so I arrange for only command-prompts to have their PATH setup that way. If I did expect other programs to be able to find a 'python.exe', I'm not sure I'd want to risk that installing a later version of Python will change what Python is found.

Cheers,

Mark

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