Should I include a #! shebang in Python Scripts, and in what Form?
Yes. Including a #! shebang in Python scripts is a good practice. The shebang specifies the interpreter to use when running the script.
The #! shebang is included at the top of Python scripts to indicate which interpreter should be used to execute the script.
It is recommended to use the form #!/usr/bin/env python3 for cross-platform compatibility.
Recommended Form:
#!/usr/bin/env python3
This form is:
1. Portable: Works on different Unix-like systems.
2. Flexible: Allows the system to find the Python 3 interpreter, regardless of its location.
3. Specific: Ensures the script is run with Python 3, avoiding potential issues with Python 2.
Alternative Forms:
-!/usr/bin/python3: Less portable, assumes Python 3 is installed in /usr/bin.
-!/usr/bin/env python: Less specific, may run the script with Python 2 if it’s the default Python version.
When to include the shebang:
– When writing scripts intended to be executed directly (e.g., ./script.py).
– When sharing scripts with others, to ensure they can run the script correctly.
When to omit the shebang:
– When writing modules or libraries intended to be imported, not executed directly.
– When working on platforms that don’t support shebangs (e.g., Windows).