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How can I know which compiler is used when I type python myapp.py in terminal?

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3 Answers

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Ask it.

$ python -V
Python 2.6.4
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Is it the compiler name or just the python version? – Nick.h Sep 27 '11 at 20:28
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The compiler is CPython. Jython is invoked as jython or some variant thereof, and IronPython is invoked as IronPython.exe. – Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams Sep 27 '11 at 20:30
Is there a command to get CPython? – Nick.h Sep 27 '11 at 20:35
Yes. The command is python. – Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams Sep 27 '11 at 21:12
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python is not a compiler but an interpreter. @Nick.h CPython (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPython) is a common python interpreter. – Matteo Sep 28 '11 at 6:40
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up vote 1 down vote 
$ which python

/usr/bin/python

This will tell you which python is being used.

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It is possible that this command could differ from the version of python being used, as it only considers $PATH. It's better practise to use type -p. – Chris Down Sep 27 '11 at 21:11
Good info, thanks Chris. – Somantra Sep 27 '11 at 21:15
up vote 1 down vote

When you run

python myapp.py

in your terminal, no compiler is used. Python interprets the file myapp.py.

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Incorrect. Python bytecompiles the script, and then runs the bytecode in its VM. – Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams Sep 28 '11 at 5:57

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