[Python-Dev] [PEPs] Support the /usr/bin/python2 symlink upstream

[Michael Foord]

On 05/03/2011 00:47, Mark Hammond wrote:
> On 5/03/2011 8:21 AM, "Martin v. Löwis" wrote:
> ...
>> As for Windows support: we currently don't install a python3.exe binary,
>> let alone python2.exe or pythonw2.exe (or is that python2w.exe?). I'll
>> adjust the installer if the PEP asks me to. For the reasons discussed,
>> I'm -0 on the change (i.e. double-clicking .py will continue to launch
>> the most-recently installed Python, rather than the "right" one, and
>> setting PYTHONPATH will continue to break installations).
>
> I agree with the -0 - I simply don't think it will, in practice, make 
> anyone's life much easier.  To run python2 and python3 based scripts 
> in the same environment already requires some manual work by the 
> machine owner (both directories will need to be added to the path) so 
> the additional burden of some other steps (eg, .bat files, doskey 
> alaises etc) doesn't seem that great.  There is also a small risk of 
> confusion - people may believe python.exe and python2.exe/python3.exe 
> have different purposes and be confused about when to use which.
>

In order to follow the most basic of Python tutorials new users do have 
to manually add their Python install to the PATH. This is unfortunate 
and should be addressed as a separate issue.

I don't see this as a good reason for not taking additional steps to 
support multiple versions side-by-side on Windows.

Having python2.x / python3.x binaries isn't as confusing for users on 
other platforms I don't see why it should be on Windows.

If we add "versioned binaries" then users manually adding their Python 
install to the PATH see a benefit; they can specify the version of 
Python without additional work on their part. If we later add support 
for automatically adding Python installs to the PATH (optionally - 
preferably on by default) then all users who use the command line see a 
benefit.

All the best,

Michael Foord



> I think this discussion should be divorced from this PEP and taken up 
> with the discussion about the PATH and the "last installed wins" issue 
> Martin mentions - only all of them taken together will "fix" this 
> issue - not that I personally consider it particularly broken - more 
> like "sub-optimal" :)
>
> Cheers,
>
> Mark
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