[Tutor] XP environment variables (was: Wrong version of Python being executed)

[Marc Tompkins]

Thus spake Alan G:

> > Note, these are entered in Ctrl Panel, System environment variables,
> > NOT at the command line.
>
> Umm, have you rebooted? Probably an obvious step but I don't
> think environment vars get reset in real time. They didn't used
> to on NT but that may have changed in W2K or XP... I haven't
> checked in a while.
>

Not quite true.
In W2K and XP (not sure about NT), changes to environment variables made via
the Control Panel will affect any NEW environments instantiated from the
moment you click OK in the Environment Variables dialog.
Easy to test:  Start/Run/CMD; type SET.  Go to
CPanel/System/Advanced/Environment Variables, create a new variable, click
OK to get back to System.  Switch back to your cmd prompt, type SET: no new
variable!    Start/Run/CMD again to start a new prompt; type SET: new
variable exists.

Something to be aware of, though - if CMD is being started by some other
process, it may inherit a 'stale' environment.  For instance, when I start a
command prompt via Launchy, my new variable does NOT exist.  It took me a
moment to realize that the new prompt was running in Launchy's environment,
which doesn't get refreshed until I reboot.
(The original poster mentioned that he always uses Start/Run/CMD, so this is
not affecting him; I merely mention this for others who might run into it.)

Let me also mention that this is the only drawback I've found to using
Launchy (www.launchy.net) in the months since I started using it, I've
probably saved several hours I would have wasted poking around in my Start
menu.  I've tried reorganizing my menus, but the mix of programs I use
day-to-day changes constantly.  I wholeheartedly recommend Launchy to any
Windows users out there.  (I have a similar utility in Ubuntu, but I don't
remember its name.  Mac users, of course, don't need anything like this, as
theirs is an entirely faith-based interface.)

Marc
-- 
www.fsrtechnologies.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mail.python.org/pipermail/tutor/attachments/20071112/6f5a4cd1/attachment.htm