Python execution problem

[mailpitches@email.com]

Using OSX 10.4.5

This is more of a unix/tcsh question than a python question.
Somehow I got to the point where I have two files 'a.py' and 'b.py'
which have identical contents and permissions, but one refuses to
execute:

[blah:/Library/WebServer/CGI-Executables] me% a.py
tcsh: a.py: Command not found.
[blah:/Library/WebServer/CGI-Executables] me% b.py
okay
[blah:/Library/WebServer/CGI-Executables] me%

Could someone enlighten me about how the shell knows to execute a
script? I always assumed it was just the extension, but this seems to
prove me wrong.

tnx>mp

[Jeffrey Schwab]

Re: Python execution problem

mailpitches@ema il.com wrote:[color=blue]
> Using OSX 10.4.5
>
> This is more of a unix/tcsh question than a python question.
> Somehow I got to the point where I have two files 'a.py' and 'b.py'
> which have identical contents and permissions, but one refuses to
> execute:
>
> [blah:/Library/WebServer/CGI-Executables] me% a.py
> tcsh: a.py: Command not found.
> [blah:/Library/WebServer/CGI-Executables] me% b.py
> okay
> [blah:/Library/WebServer/CGI-Executables] me%
>
> Could someone enlighten me about how the shell knows to execute a
> script? I always assumed it was just the extension, but this seems to
> prove me wrong.[/color]

It checks each directory in your path for an executable file with the
name you specified. Each file has a set of associated bits to tell
whether it is executable (or readable or writable), and by whom. To add
execute permission to a.py, try this:

chmod +x a.py

FYI, it's not a great idea to rely on the current directory (.) being in
your path. You might want to type it explicitly, e.g ./a.py instead of
a.py.