chpython

Changes the current Python

This is a translation of [postmodern]'s [chruby] Ruby manager for use with Python.

Features

• Updates $PATH.
• Optionally sets $PYTHONOPT if second argument is given.
• Calls hash -r to clear the command-lookup hash-table.
• Fuzzy matching of Pythons by name.
• Defaults to the system Python.
• Optionally supports auto-switching and the .python-version file.
• Supports [bash] and [zsh].
• Small (~90 LOC).
• Has tests.

Anti-Features

• Does not hook cd.
• Does not install executable shims.
• Does not require Rubies be installed into your home directory.
• Does not automatically switch Rubies by default.
• Does not require write-access to the Python directory in order to install gems.

Install

wget -O chpython-0.0.1.tar.gz https://github.com/kisoku/chpython/archive/v0.0.1.tar.gz
tar -xzvf chpython-0.0.1.tar.gz
cd chpython-0.0.1
sudo make install

Rubies

Manually

Chpython does not currently provids detailed instructions for installing additional Pythons:

However, as chpython is derived from Chpython you may refer to the Chpython documentation to get an idea of what is required.

• Python
• JPython
• Rubinius
• MagLev

python-install

You can also use [python-install] to install additional Pythons:

Installing to /opt/pythons or ~/.pythons:

python-install python 2.7.5
python install python 3.3.2

Configuration

Add the following to the /etc/profile.d/chpython.sh, ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc file:

source /usr/local/share/chpython/chpython.sh

By default chpython will search for Pythons installed into /opt/pythons/ or ~/.pythons/. For non-standard installation locations, simply set the PYTHONS variable:

PYTHONS=(
  /opt/python-3.3.2
  $HOME/src/python-2.7.5
)

Migrating

If you are migrating from another Python manager, set PYTHONS accordingly:

System Wide

If you wish to enable chpython system-wide, add the following to /etc/profile.d/chpython.sh:

[ -n "$BASH_VERSION" ] || [ -n "$ZSH_VERSION" ] || return

source /usr/local/share/chpython/chpython.sh

Auto-Switching

If you want chpython to auto-switch the current version of Python when you cd between your different projects, simply load auto.sh in ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc:

source /usr/local/share/chpython/auto.sh

chpython will check the current and parent directories for a [.python-version] file. Other Python switchers also understand this file