Multiple Versions of Python on Windows XP

[Colin J. Williams]

Glenn Linderman wrote:
>
> The equivalent of those commands is available via Windows Explorer, 
> Tools / Folder Options, File Types, scroll-scroll-scroll your way to 
> .py, Click Advanced, fiddle, copy paste apply, and other twaddle.  
Yes, but what's needed is a further level of indirection.  Currently, 
this allows .py to be associated with a particular editor.  It would be 
great if there were some way of associating "Python.File", which is 
created in the install process, with a particular editor.  Then, one is 
left with associating "Python.File" with a given version of Python.  
Meanwhile, your suggestion provides a workaround.

Colin W.
> A perfect example of why not everything should be done via GUI 
> interfaces, or at least why this is an extremely poor GUI interface.
>
> GUI designers should count the command line keystrokes, and make sure 
> their interface is shorter, otherwise they are a failure.
>
>> Michel Claveau suggests VirtualBox, this
>> seems a big hammer to kill
>> this particular fly.
>>
>> It's interesting that each install sets
>> up a Python.File variable in the registry.
>>
>> It's a pity that this can't be used to achieve this more simply.
>
> Martin seems willing to entertain the idea of future Windows 
> installers doing something more brilliant in this area, for those that 
> wish to switch between multiple installed versions, as he asked for a 
> tracking issue to be created, which I did.
>
> Whether it will be exactly my technique, or something further 
> improved, time will tell.  But that will only apply to versions 
> released after 3.0 and 2.6.1 (unless he has already coded it into the 
> release, but I doubt he had time, or wishes to destabilize or delay 
> these releases).
>
> Anyway, if you remember the arcane techniques for copy/paste in CMD 
> prompt windows (Alt-space or click the "system" icon in the upper left 
> of the CMD prompt window), and go from there, then setting up the 
> multiple ftypes becomes a bit easier, perhaps.
>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Colin W. 
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