python3-alias 1.1.0

Hack to deal with a missing python3 alias on Windows

python3

Hack to handle a missing alias/symlink, for example when you're on windows or don't want to be bothered

This exists so that the following Makefile command will execute correctly on Windows.

PLATFORM_ARCH := $(shell python3 -c "import platform; print(platform.machine())")

Installation

To get python3 everywhere and python3 means just some random isolated python3

pipx install python3-alias

To get a known version of python3, install into the system or venv.

pip install python3-alias

Motivation

Yes, I know, one solution is for you to personally purchase a Macbook for everyone in the world. Please include me when you do.

Things that don't work

In git bash, this isn't picked up.

alias python3=python

Link python3 to python in bash

ln -s /c/Users/USER/AppData/Local/Programs/Python/Python312/python /usr/bin/python3
# ln: failed to create symbolic link '/usr/bin/python3': Permission denied

Also adding python3=python to this file didn't work.

nano "/C/Program Files/Git/etc/profile.d/aliases.sh"

Also, a shell file named python3 didn't work.

Installing python from the Microsoft Store might work, I didn't try. I'd rather install from python.org.

Redirecting to a different Python

By default the alias forwards to whichever Python launched it (sys.executable). You can override this with environment variables, checked in this order:

Variable	Value	Effect
PYTHON3_ALIAS_VENV	path to a venv directory	Activates the venv (sets PATH, VIRTUAL_ENV, unsets PYTHONHOME) and runs its python.
PYTHON3_ALIAS_PYTHON	full path to a python.exe	Runs that interpreter directly.
PYTHON3_ALIAS_VERSION	3.14, 3.7, etc.	Windows: launches via py -X.Y. POSIX: launches pythonX.Y from PATH.

The first one set wins. If none are set, the alias behaves as before.

Examples

# Pin a specific interpreter
PYTHON3_ALIAS_PYTHON="C:/Python314/python.exe" python3 -V

# Use the py launcher to pick a version (Windows)
PYTHON3_ALIAS_VERSION=3.14 python3 -V

# Run inside a venv without sourcing its activate script
PYTHON3_ALIAS_VENV=./.venv python3 -m pip list

Limitations

This alias isn't to replace pyenv, asdf or the like.