Why does Python need to set environment variables?

I believe that many friends who are new to python will encounter such pitfalls: the environment variables are not configured properly and python cannot be started normally. So what exactly are environment variables? Why set it? Let’s talk about it below.

1. What is an environment variable?

Quoting the explanation from Baidu Encyclopedia: An environment variable is an object with a specific name in the operating system. It contains an or Information that will be used by multiple applications. After seeing this, I believe you may still have some doubts, but don’t worry, keep reading.

2. Why do we need environment variables?

Under the windows system, if we install a certain software, after the installation is completed, an environment variable will be generated in the installation directory. The .exe file of the software, double-click the file and we can start the software. But every time we want to run the software, do we have to find the path where the .exe file is located and then double-click it? This is obviously impossible because there are too many installed software and it is impossible for us to remember all the installed software. path, and at the same time, if we want to run some software under other paths, wouldn’t it be doomed.

Environment variables are needed at this time.

3. The role of environment variables

As I said just now, 1. As the software installed on the computer becomes more and more The more we do, the more we cannot remember the installation paths of all software, and it becomes very troublesome to run a certain software. 2. If you want to run a certain software directly under a certain path, there is nothing we can do.

By adding the installation paths of all software to the environment variables, when we want to run a certain software, double-click its shortcut or enter the software name in the DOS interface. At this time, in addition to looking for the software in its current directory, the computer In addition to the .exe file of the software, the path of the software is also searched in the environment variables, found and run.

To sum up, when the path environment variable in Windows and DOS operating systems is required to run a program without telling it the full path where the program is located, the system should not only search for the program in the current directory, but also Go to the path specified in path to find it. Users can better run processes by setting environment variables.

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