How to Run Python Scripts from Any Directory?

How to Execute Python Scripts from the Command Line

When attempting to execute a script from a specific directory using Python, you may encounter the error "No such file or directory" despite having added the directory to your PYTHONPATH variable. This is because PYTHONPATH primarily affects the import paths for Python modules, not the execution path for scripts.

To execute Python scripts from any directory without manually changing to its directory, you need to modify your PATH environment variable. The PATH variable determines the directories where the system searches for executable files.

Adding Python to the PATH

To add Python to your PATH, open a terminal and enter the following command:

export PATH=$PATH:/home/randy/lib/python

Replace /home/randy/lib/python with the actual path to your Python installation.

Setting the Shebang

To make your Python script executable as a program, you need to set a shebang in the first line of the file. A shebang tells the system which interpreter to use when running the script. For example, add the following line to the beginning of your Python script:

#!/usr/bin/env python

Adjusting File Permissions

Once you have set the shebang, grant executable permissions to the script using the following command:

chmod +x /home/randy/lib/python/gbmx.py

After these steps, you should be able to execute your Python script by simply typing its name from any directory:

gbmx.py

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