[Python-Dev] Python install layout and the PATH on win32 (original) (raw)

Mark Hammond skippy.hammond at gmail.com
Sat Mar 17 06:28:57 CET 2012

On 17/03/2012 12:25 PM, Carl Meyer wrote:

Hi Mark,

On 03/16/2012 05:53 PM, Mark Hammond wrote: * All executables and scripts go into the root of the Python install. This directory is largely empty now - it is mainly a container for other directories. This would solve the problem of needing 2 directories on the PATH and mean existing tools which locate the executable would work fine. I hate to seem like I'm piling on now after panning your last brainstorm :-), but... this would be quite problematic for virtualenv users, many of whom do rely on the fact that the virtualenv "stuff" is confined to within a limited set of known subdirectories, and they can overlay a virtualenv and their own project code with just a few virtualenv directories vcs-ignored. I would prefer either the status quo or the proposed cross-platform harmonization.

Yeah, fair enough. I should have indicated it was 1/2 tongue-in-cheek, but figured it worth throwing it out there anyway :)

OTOH, the part that wasn't tongue-in-cheek was the part that said "why not change the other platforms instead of windows" (then wait for the inevitable replies), then "so those same reasons apply to Windows too" - eg "fleets of torch wielding windows admins" :)

Breaking the few tools I'm concerned about vs asking Van etc to continue taking the pain he feels isn't going to mean the end of the world for any of us. So given the stakes in this particular discussion aren't that high, I'll try and summarize the thread over the next few days (or someone can beat me to it if they prefer) and we can ask someone semi-impartial to make a decision. I'd be happy to nominate MvL if he feels so inclined (even though I haven't asked him).

Cheers,

Mark

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