python - Installing pythonstartup file

Question

How do I install the pythonstartup file so that it runs on command like python myfile.py?

I tried to install it into my /home/myuser directory for Ubuntu, but it said that I had insufficient permissions. Furthermore, different places say alternately that it should be in all caps or in all lower case with a period before it. The Python command line guide does not seem to explain where to put the file, or how to change which environment variable to 'point' to it.

Answer 1

In your ~/.bashrc:

export PYTHONSTARTUP=$HOME/.pythonstartup

and put your python code in $HOME/.pythonstartup, like:

import rlcompleter
import readline

readline.parse_and_bind("tab: complete")

Then run the interactive shell:

python

See the imports from PYTHONSTARTUP are processed. This only works in python interactive mode.

For more information about PYTHONSTARTUP variable, read the python man page:

$ man python