How Can I Change Python's Default Encoding?

Python Encoding Quandary: Setting the Default

Despite experiencing recurring encoding issues when launching Python applications from the console, the IDE PyDev ensures seamless operation by leveraging UTF-8 as its default character encoding. This has prompted the question: how can the default encoding be modified in Python?

While previous suggestions to utilize the sys.setdefaultencoding function have been met with the obstacle of its removal during Python startup, an elegant solution has emerged. By reloading the sys module, the setdefaultencoding function is effectively restored, allowing for the modification of the default encoding.

Implementation:

import sys
# sys.setdefaultencoding() does not exist, here!
reload(sys)  # Reload does the trick!
sys.setdefaultencoding('UTF8')

Caution:

This approach should be employed with prudence. The default encoding is meticulously designed as ASCII to ensure compatibility with third-party code. Modifying this default without fully understanding its implications carries the risk of disrupting applications that assume ASCII as the standard.

Python 3.9 Compatibility:

It's worth noting that this technique may not function optimally in Python 3.9 due to significant changes in how the interpreter handles encoding.

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