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After creating a Python script file, test.py, in my home directory, and running chmod +x test.py to make it executable, and placing #!usr/bin/env as the file header, I expected to be able to run the script from bash on OS X, using:

$ test.py

but bash returned:

-bash: test.py: command not found

The following command worked:

$ ./test.py

Why is the relative path required for this executable script in the present working directory?

manatwork
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webappzero
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1 Answers1

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The shell searches the execute path ($PATH) for programs when you give it a command to run. Pre-fixing a command with a path, such as ./ prevents the shell from searching and instructs the shell to use a specific program, explicitly specified.

If a program resides in a directory not in the search path then you have to explicitly indicate the path to the program.

Johan
  • 4,148