what is the python interpreter

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Many times we open the .py file, and the first line at the beginning will show #!/usr/bin/python3.

Ever wondered why is this ❓

#!/usr/bin/python3 is used to specify the interpreter ❗ ❗

Why specify an interpreter ❓

For example, many people have both Python2 and Python3 installed on their systems, but 2 and 3 are not compatible.

So you must specify an interpreter when executing .py.

For example, hello.py

#!/usr/bin/python3

import sys
print(str(sys.version))

You will find the output of python3.

The space after #! is optional, that is, #!/usr/bin/python3 and #! /usr/bin/python3 are both allowed.

If an interpreter is specified, the following instructions can be executed directly, and it will be automatically executed using python3.

Remember to give it execute permissions

( x = executable )

chmod +x hello.py

./hello.py

If no interpreter is specified, you can also be added to the terminal during execution.

python3 hello.py

In short, the goal is to tell the computer which Python version to use 😊