Python 2 and Python 3 - Running in Command Prompt

Question

Having various projects in both Python 2 and Python 3 (with both python versions installed), I was looking for a more intuitive way to run scripts via Command Prompt than py -3 script.py.

Python 2 already took python script.py, so ideally python3 script.py should invoke Python 3.

My question: How can I add python3 as a Command Prompt command?

Solution 1

If Python 2 and 3 are both installed and in the PATH variable, you can do:

py -2

or

py -3

Solution 2

Searching did not yield good results, so I thought I should share the process I took with anyone looking for this in the future.

1. Make sure the Python 3 folder is present in the PATH environment variable.
2. Locate the "python.exe" file in the Python 3 folder.
3. Copy and Paste the "python.exe" file within the Python 3 folder.
4. Rename the copied file to "python3" (or whatever you want the command to be).

Now, when you input python3 script.py to Command Prompt, the script will run through the copied Python 3 file.

Also, by copying python.exe (instead of renaming it) you allow other interpreters - such as PyCharm - to continue using their default "python.exe" path settings.

I hope this helps!

EDIT:

A "symlink" has the same effect, but keeps things a bit tidier.