What's the difference between these two python shebangs

Question

I used to use the shebang

#!/usr/bin/env python

When is it better to use

#!/usr/bin/python

What is the exact difference between them?

Answer 1

#!/usr/bin/python is hardcoded to always run /usr/bin/python, while #!/usr/bin/env python will run whichever python would be default in your current environment (it will take in account for example $PATH, you can check which python interpreter will be used with which python).

The second way ( #!/usr/bin/env python ) is preferred , as it's not dependent on particular installation. It will work for example with virtualenv setups or systems where there is no /usr/bin/python, but only e.g. /usr/local/bin/python.