Message 321125 - Python tracker (original) (raw)

This issue, as stated, looks like a severe regression to me.

In each of my python installs, Lib/site-packages has a file called 'python.pth' containing 'F:/Python'. This is not a glob of inscrutable code. It is not even Python code. Just a path. Is this issue about something else also called a 'pth file'?

F:/Python latter is a package development directory on my supplementary hard drive. When I first install a new version of Python (early alpha), I copy this tiny file. Voila! The packages within /Python are 'installed' for the new version without making copies. Editing a file edits it for all 'installs'. Deleting the directory for an old and no longer needed version does not delete any of my files.

Import in files within F:/Python/pack act as if pack were installed in the site package for the version of python running the file. I can easily run anything in Command Prompt with 'py -x.y -m pack.file'. I can easily rerun with a different version by hitting up arrow and changing x.y. Command Prompt's current working directory does not matter.

I think this is one of Python's most under-appreciated features. I am rather sure there is no way to so easily get the same effect. Abuse of a great feature is not a good reason to delete it completely.