How to get the PYTHONPATH in shell?

Question

debian@debian:~$ echo $PYTHONPATH  
/home/qiime/lib/:  
debian@debian:~$ python  
Python 2.7.3 (default, Jan  2 2013, 16:53:07)   
[GCC 4.7.2] on linux2  
Type \"help\",         


        

Answer 1

Python, at startup, loads a bunch of values into sys.path (which is "implemented" via a list of strings), including:

• various hardcoded places
• the value of $PYTHONPATH
• probably some stuff from startup files (I'm not sure if Python has rcfiles)

$PYTHONPATH is only one part of the eventual value of sys.path.

If you're after the value of sys.path, the best way would be to ask Python (thanks @Codemonkey):

python -c "import sys; print sys.path"