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classification
Title: Mismatch between the manipulation of `sys.path` by `runpy` and by the Python command-line interface
Type: behavior Stage:
Components: Library (Lib) Versions: Python 3.8
process
Status: open Resolution:
Dependencies: Superseder:
Assigned To: Nosy List: maggyero, ncoghlan
Priority: normal Keywords:

Created on 2020-09-19 15:43 by maggyero, last changed 2022-04-11 14:59 by admin.

Messages (1)
msg377171 - (view) Author: Géry (maggyero) * Date: 2020-09-19 15:43
Nicholas, I have noticed that `runpy.run_path` alters `sys.path` as expected for a file_path argument which is a valid `sys.path` entry (typically a directory or zip file). That is to say it adds the file_path argument to the beginning of `sys.path`, like `python <valid sys.path entry>`.

However, I have also noticed that `runpy.run_path` does not alter `sys.path` as expected for a file_path argument which is a Python source or bytecode file path. That is to say it does not add the *parent path* of the file_path argument to the beginning of `sys.path`, contrary to `python <source or bytecode file path>`.

Likewise, I have also noticed that `runpy.run_module` (with the alter_sys argument set to `True` of course) does not alter `sys.path` as expected. That is to say it does not add the path of the *current directory* to the beginning of `sys.path`, contrary to `python -m <module>`.

Only the first of the three previous `sys.path` manipulations is documented in https://docs.python.org/3/library/runpy.html though, so the `runpy` implementation is at least compliant with its specification. So is the mismatch between the manipulation of `sys.path` by `runpy` and by the Python command-line interface a specification bug or is it the intended behaviour?
History
Date User Action Args
2022-04-11 14:59:35adminsetgithub: 85980
2020-09-19 15:43:58maggyerocreate