[New-bugs-announce] [issue23633] Improve py launcher help, index, and doc

[Terry J. Reedy]

New submission from Terry J. Reedy:

This issue is about making coordinated changes to the py launcher doc and binary.

1. The py launcher doc is https://docs.python.org/3/using/windows.html#python-launcher-for-windows.  If one does not know where to look, it is hard to find.  Add an index entry 'py launcher' pointing here.

2. py -h lists 'launcher arguments' but does not explain the default if none is given and how to change the default.  There is way too much to say in a -h response, so I suggest just adding a reference to the doc plus the directories searched for .ini files 

See https://docs.python.org/3/using/windows.html#python-launcher-for-windows for information on the default version and how to change it with a py.ini file.  This executable looks for py.ini in <user app directory> and <py.exe install directory>. 

3. 3.4.4.1. Customization via INI files starts "Two .ini files will be searched by the launcher - py.ini in the current user’s “application data” directory (i.e. the directory returned by calling the Windows function SHGetFolderPath with CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA) and py.ini in the same directory as the launcher."  Add "These directories are listed as part of the output of 'py -h'.  Also add "Adding or editing a file in an all-users install directory requires logging in with an administrator account."

4. In my experience, a new install of py.exe wipes out an existing py.ini along with the py(w).exe files.  'del py.*'?  If this is intended, it should be documented.  If not (and it is a nuisance having the default reverted back to py 2), it should not happen (separate issue?).


Nick, I don't know who currently maintains py.exe, but presume you do.

----------
messages: 237817
nosy: ncoghlan, steve.dower, terry.reedy
priority: normal
severity: normal
stage: needs patch
status: open
title: Improve py launcher help, index, and doc
type: behavior
versions: Python 3.5

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Python tracker <report at bugs.python.org>
<http://bugs.python.org/issue23633>
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