python [-diuv] [-c command | script | - ] [args]


     -d   Turn on parser  debugging  output  (for  wizards  only,
          depending on compilation options).

     -i   When a script is passed as first  argument  or  the  -c
          option  is used, enter interactive mode after executing
          the script or  the  command.   It  does  not  read  the
          $PYTHONSTARTUP  file.   This  can  be useful to inspect
          global variables or a stack trace when a script  raises
          an exception.

     -s   Suppress auto-printing of expressions in interactive mode.

     -u   Force stdout and stderr to be totally unbuffered.

     -v   Print a message each  time  a  module  is  initialized,
          showing  the  place  (filename or built-in module) from
          which it is loaded.

     -c command
          Specify the command  to  execute  (see  next  section).
          This  terminates the option list (following options are
          passed as arguments to the command).

     -  anything afterward is passed as options to python script or
        command, not interpreted as an option to interpreter itself.

     script is the name of a python file to execute

     args are passed to script or command (in "sys.argv")

If no script or command, Python enters interactive mode. Uses 
"readline" package for input, if available. 

ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES

PYTHONPATH

Augments the default search path for module files. The format is the same as the shell's $PATH: one or more directory pathnames separated by colons.

PYTHONSTARTUP

If this is the name of a readable file, the Python com- mands in that file are executed before the first prompt is displayed in interactive mode.

PYTHONDEBUG

If non-empty, same as -d option

PYTHONINSPECT

If non-empty, same as -i option

PYTHONSUPPRESS

If non-empty, same as -s option

PYTHONUNBUFFERED

If non-empty, same as -u option

PYTHONVERBOSE

If non-empty, same as -v option

Terms Used

sequence

a string, list or tuple

suite

a series of statements, possibly separated by newlines. Must all be at same indentation level, except for suites inside compound statements

<x>

in a syntax diagram means a token referred to as "x"

[xxx]

in a syntax diagram means "xxx" is optional

x ==> y

means the value of <x> is <y>

x <=> y

means "x is equivalent to y"