Question

Hey guys.
So, I have a Python script. Let’s call it “Pythonfile.py” (Wow, I have so much imagination xD)
I would usualy run it by typing in:

$ python ~/Desktop/Pythonfile.py -arg1 arg2 arg3

Now, this is kinda bothering; having to type all the python things. Idealy, I would want to run it like:

$ pythonfile -arg1 arg2 arg3

This would mean adding a new command to bash. But how? I would guess you should put a file:

/usr/bin/pythonfile

But what should be inside? I want it to run the original python script, which is located on the desktop – AND WITH THE ARGUMENTS .I’m on Ubuntu 10 by the way.

Answer 1

Don’t place the command in /usr/bin unless it is meant to be run by all users. Place it in ~/bin instead, and modify the PATH environment variable to search for executables there, by adding this to yout ~/.bashrc file:

export PATH=$PATH:~/bin

As to the contents of the (now) ~/bin/pythonfile, you may use:

#!/bin/bash
python ~/Desktop/pythonfile.py $*

The first line tells bash the file is a bash script, and the second line executes the python script.

You can also set #!/usr/bin/env python as the first line of the Python script, move the script to ~/bin, make it executable, and the run it as:

$ pythonfile.py -arg1 arg2 arg3

Something I like to do with that second option is to add a symbolic link to avoid having to type the .py part:

$ cd ~/bin
$ ln -s pythonfile.py pythonfile