Python Installation Path

1. Introduction

Python is an easy-to-learn, powerful programming language widely used in development and data processing in various fields. Before learning and using Python, we first need to understand how to check the Python installation path. This article will detail several methods for checking the Python installation path on different operating systems.

2. Checking the Installation Path on Windows

2.1 Using the Command Line

On Windows, we can check the Python installation path using the command line.

The steps are as follows:
1. Open a Command Prompt window. You can open the Command Prompt window by pressing Win + R, typing cmd in the Run dialog box, and pressing Enter.
2. In the Command Prompt window, enter where python and press Enter.

The sample code and running results are as follows:

C:UsersUsername> where python
C:PythonPython38python.exe
C:PythonPython38Scriptspython.exe

The above running results indicate that Python is installed in the C:PythonPython38 directory, and python.exe and Scriptspython.exe are the executable file paths of the Python interpreter, respectively.

2.2 Using Environment Variables

Another way to check the Python installation path is to use environment variables.

The steps are as follows:
1. Open a Command Prompt window.
2. In the Command Prompt window, enter echo %PATH% and press Enter.

The sample code and running results are as follows:

C:UsersUsername> echo %PATH%
C:PythonPython38;C:PythonPython38Scripts;C:Windowssystem32;...

In the above running results, the semicolon-delimited path contains the Python installation path.

3. Viewing the Installation Path in macOS

3.1 Using the Terminal

In macOS, we can view the Python installation path using the Terminal.

The steps are as follows:
1. Open the Terminal application. You can find the Terminal application in Launchpad.
2. Enter which python3 in the terminal and press Enter.

The sample code and running results are as follows:

MacBook-Pro:~ username$ which python3
/usr/local/bin/python3

The above running results indicate that Python is installed in the /usr/local/bin directory and python3 is the executable file of the Python interpreter.

3.2 Using the sys Module

Another way to check the Python installation path is to use the Python sys module.

The sample code is as follows:

import sys

print(sys.executable)

The output of running the above sample code is as follows:

/usr/local/opt/python@3.8/bin/python3.8

The above output indicates that Python is installed in the /usr/local/opt/python@3.8 directory.

4. Checking the Installation Path in Linux

In Linux, we can check the Python installation path through the terminal.

The steps are as follows:
1. Open the Terminal application.
2. Type which python3 in the terminal and press Enter.

The sample code and running results are as follows:

username@ubuntu:~$ which python3
/usr/bin/python3

The above running results indicate that Python is installed in the /usr/bin directory, and python3 is the executable file of the Python interpreter.

5. Summary

In this article, we detailed how to view the Python installation path on different operating systems. On Windows, we can use the command line or environment variables to obtain the path; on macOS, we can use the terminal or the sys module to obtain the path; and on Linux, we only need to use the terminal. By understanding the Python installation path, you can better manage and use Python.