Python set path environment variable windows

Understanding the Python Path Environment Variable in Python

Environment variables influence the behavior of Python. PYTHONPATH is one such environment variable; that is, it is a key-value pair stored in a computer’s memory. It is available to all programs running in the same environment.

What Is the PYTHONPATH Environment Variable in Python?

Pythonpath is a special environment variable that provides guidance to the Python interpreter about where to find various libraries and applications. It is similar to the PATH environment variable in other languages, such as C and Java, but has additional directories for Python modules.

Pythonpath environment variable in Python allows you to include paths to other Python files in your scripts and Python’s import mechanism to determine where to search for modules and files that use it. This can be useful if you want to access different pieces of functionality from within your script without having to type out the full path every time.

Pythonpath can be either a single directory or a list of directories separated by colons (:).

• If Pythonpath is set to a single directory, Python will search for modules and files in that directory only.
• Or if Pythonpath is set to a list of directories, Python will search for modules and files in each of those directories.

When you launch the Python interpreter, it looks for Pythonpath inside your current working directory. If it doesn’t find an entry there, it will search for Pythonpath in each parent folder until it finds one or creates one, if necessary. And it is typically set by the Python installation program, but can be overridden by the user.

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Understanding the Pythonpath Environment Variable

An environment variable that lets you add additional directories where Python looks for packages and modules. As these variables are not needed for Python to run, they are not set for most installations. Python can find its standard library. So, the only reason to use PYTHONPATH variables is to maintain directories of custom Python libraries that are not installed in the site packages directory (the global default location). In simple terms, it is used by user-defined modules to set the path so that they can be directly imported into a Python program. It also handles the default search path for modules in Python. PYTHONPATH variable includes various directories as a string to be added to the sys.path directory list. So, with PYTHONPATH, users can import modules that have not been made installable yet.

Here is an example. The module sample.py has the following content:

The script sample_script.py has the following content:

Traceback (most recent call last):

File «scripts/sample_script.py», line 1, in

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named ‘sample’

We get such an output because the PYTHONPATH has not been set yet. In layman’s terms, the Python interpreter cannot find the location of the sample.py file. In the next section, we will examine how you can set the PYTHONPATH environment variable on different operating systems.

Setting Python Environment Variable PYTHONPATH on Mac

To set the python environment variable PYTHONPATH on Mac, follow the given steps:

Step 2: In your text editor, open the ~/.bash_profile file. For example: atom ~/.bash_profile;

Step 3: To this file, add the following line at the bottom:

Step 4: Save this text editor file.

Step 5: Close the terminal.

Step 6: Restart the terminal. You can now read the new settings.

It would show something like /Users/my_user/code. That is it. PYTHONPATH is set.

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Setting the Python Environment Variable PYTHONPATH on Linux

To set the python environment variable PYTHONPATH on Linux, follow the given steps:

Step 1: Open up the terminal

Step 2: In your text editor, open the ~/.bashrc file. For example: atom ~/.bashrc;

Step 3: In this text editor, add this line at the end:

Step 4: Save this text editor file.

Step 5: Close the terminal application

Step 6: Restart the terminal application. You can read in the new settings. Type:

It will show something like /home/my_user/code:

You are done setting the PYTHONPATH on your Linux system.

Setting the Python Environment Variable PYTHONPATH on Windows

Here is how to set PYTHONPATH on a windows machine:

Step 1: Open My Computer or This PC and right-click on it. Then click on properties.

Step 2: When the properties window pops up, click on the Advance System Settings.

Step 3: Click on the environment variable button that appears in the new popped-up window. Here is how it looks:

Step 4: In the dialog box- new Environment Variable, click on New.

Step 5: In the variable dialog box, add the variable’s name as PYTHONPATH. Add the location that you want Python to check every time as a value to the module directory.

Step 6: Open the command prompt, execute the python file using the given command:

(Here, my_script is the name of the python file).

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FAQs

1. How do I add an environment variable in Pythonpath?

Following a few steps will allow you to add an environment variable:

• By setting the Pythonpath environment variable.
• By adding manually to the path in the file.
• By using the os.environ module method.
• Then you can also use the os.environ[«key»] = «value» syntax to add a single environment variable.

2. How do I create a Pythonpath variable?

To create a Pythonpath variable, you will need to first open the Command Prompt.

Once the Command Prompt is open, you will need to type in the following command: setx /M Pythonpath «C:\Python27\Lib».

And you should know that creating a Pythonpath environment variable in Python will be changing depending on your operating system and whether you want the variable to be permanent.

• On Windows, you can use the set command to create a Pythonpath variable:
  set Pythonpath=C:\python
• On Mac or Linux, you can use the export command to create a Pythonpath variable:
  export Pythonpath =/usr/local/lib/python

3. What is Pythonpath used for?

Pythonpath is an environment variable that is used to specify the location of Python libraries. It is typically used by developers to ensure that their code can find the required Python libraries when it is run.

4. Where is Pythonpath located?

Pythonpath is typically located in the same directory as the Python interpreter.

5. Is SYS path the same as Pythonpath?

• The SYS path is a list of directories that Python interprets to search for when it starts up.
• The Pythonpath is a list of directories that the Python interpreter will search for when it tries to resolve a module name.

So, both look the same but are quite different.

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Conclusion

We have reached the end of this blog. We saw how you could set the PYTHONPATH environment variable in Python on all three standard operating systems- Linux, Windows, and macOS. After setting up the PYTHON PATH, you can import user-defined modules. And if you wish to master Python, a certification in Python is all you need! However, if you wish to master full-stack development and build a successful career in this field, our PGP in Full Stack Development, in collaboration with Caltech CTME must be your next step.

And on the other hand, if you have any questions in terms of python path, do write to us in the comment section below, and our experts will get back to you!

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About the Author

Ravikiran A S

Ravikiran A S works with Simplilearn as a Research Analyst. He an enthusiastic geek always in the hunt to learn the latest technologies. He is proficient with Java Programming Language, Big Data, and powerful Big Data Frameworks like Apache Hadoop and Apache Spark.

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How to add Python to Windows PATH

There are few ways to add Python to Windows PATH. In this guide, you’ll see two methods to add Python to Windows path:

Method 1: Install a Recent Version of Python

You can easily add Python to Windows path by downloading a recent version of Python, and then checking the box to Add Python to PATH at the bottom of the setup screen:

Finish the installation, and you should be good to go.

Alternatively, you may manually add the paths into the Environment variables.

Method 2: Manually add Python to Windows Path

If you wish to stick with the previous version of Python, you may apply the steps below to manually add Python to Windows path.

First, navigate to the Windows Environment Variables screen (where you can add/edit your paths):

• Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard in order to open the Run dialog box
• Type sysdm.cpl to open the System Properties
• Go to the Advanced tab and then click on the ‘Environment Variables…‘

That should take you to the Environment Variables screen, where you can add/edit your paths.

Under the User variables box, click on ‘New…‘ to add the ‘Path’ variable (note that if your ‘Path’ variable already exists, then click on ‘Edit…’ instead):

You should then see the New User Variable box, where you may add/edit variables:

Before you type any values, you’ll need to locate the relevant Python paths. The paths that you’ll need to get are:

(1) The Python application path, which is the folder where you originally installed Python. You can find the Python application path by following these steps:

• Type “Python” in the Windows Search Bar
• Right-click on the Python App, and then select “Open file location“
• Right-click again on the Python shortcut, and then select “Open file location“

Here is an example of a Python application path:

C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39

(2) The Python Scripts path. The Scripts folder should be located within the Python application path. Example:

C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\scripts

After you obtained the paths, fill the New User Variable box that you saw earlier:

• For the Variable name, type ‘Path‘
• For the Variable value, copy the full Python application path, then use semicolon (as highlighted in yellow below), and finally copy the Python Scripts path.

Variable name: Path
Variable value: C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39 ; C:\Users\Ron\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\Scripts

Press ‘OK’ and you would then see your new Python Path under the ‘User variables‘ section. Don’t forget to press ‘OK‘ again so that the changes will get implemented.

System variables
…
…
…

You just added Python to the Windows Path.

You should be able to install Python packages easily, by opening the Windows Command Prompt and then typing:

For example, to install the Pandas package, simply type ‘pip install pandas‘ and then press ENTER:

Similarly, you may upgrade PIP by typing the following command:

python -m pip install --upgrade pip

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