[Python-Dev] [PEPs] Rebooting PEP 394 (aka Support the /usr/bin/python2 symlink upstream)

[Barry Warsaw]

On Aug 12, 2011, at 01:10 PM, Nick Coghlan wrote:

>1. Accept the reality of that situation, and propose a mechanism that
>minimises the impact of the resulting ambiguity on end users of Python
>by allowing developers to be explicit about their target language.
>This is the approach advocated in PEP 394.
>
>2. Tell the Arch developers (and anyone else inclined to point the
>python name at python3) that they're wrong, and the python symlink
>should, now and forever, always refer to a version of Python 2.x.

FWIW, although I generally support the PEP, I also think that distros
themselves have a responsibility to ensure their #! lines are correct, for
scripts they install.  Meaning, if it requires rewriting the #! line on OS
package install, so be it.

-Barry