---
name: "python"
section: "1"
platform: "macos"
package: "python"
version: "184"
release: "macOS 26.5"
platforms: ["linux", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/python"
---

# python(1)

an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming language

## NAME

**python**, **pythonw** – an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming language

## SYNOPSIS

**python** *...*

**pythonw** *...*

## DESCRIPTION

To support multiple versions, the programs named **python** and **pythonw** select the real version of Python to run, depending on various settings. The current supported versions are **2.6** and **2.7**, with the default being **2.7**. Use

```
% man python2.6
```

```
% man python2.7
```

```
% man pythonw2.6
```

```
% man pythonw2.7
```

to see the man page for a specific version. Without a version specified these will show the man page for the (unmodified) default version of Python (**2.7**). To see the man page for a specific version of pydoc, for example, use

```
% man pydoc2.6
```

## CHANGING THE DEFAULT PYTHON

Using

```
% defaults write com.apple.versioner.python Version 2.6
```

will make version **2.6** the user default when running both the **python** and **pythonw** commands (**versioner** is the internal name of the version-selection software used).

The environment variable VERSIONER\_PYTHON\_VERSION can also be used to set the **python** and **pythonw** version:

% export VERSIONER\_PYTHON\_VERSION=2.6 *#* *Bourne-like* *shells*

     **or**

% setenv VERSIONER\_PYTHON\_VERSION 2.6 *#* *C-like* *shells*

```
% python ...
```

This environment variable takes precedence over the preference file settings.

## USING A SPECIFIC VERSION

Rather than using the **python** command, one can use a specific version directly. For example, running **python2.6** from the command line will run the **2.6** version of Python.

One can use a specific version of Python on the *#!* line of a script, but that may have portability and future compatibility issues.

Note that the preference files and environment variables that apply to the **python** command do **not** apply when running a specific version of Python. In particular, running **python2.6** will always default to 64-bit execution (unless one uses the [arch(1)](/arch/1.md) command to specifically select a 32-bit architecture).

## SEE ALSO

[python2.6(1)](/python2.6/1.md), [python2.7(1)](/python2.7/1.md), pythonw2.6(1), pythonw2.7(1), [arch(1)](/arch/1.md)