where should i put my python scripts on Linux? – Best Practice

In Linux, the placement of your Python scripts can depend on how you intend to use them. Here are a few best practices for different scenarios:

1. Personal Scripts for Local Use

• Home Directory: For scripts that only you will use, it’s common to place them in your home directory (~/) or a subdirectory within it, like ~/scripts. This keeps them accessible to you and separate from system-wide directories that require elevated permissions.
• Bin Directory in Home: If you want to execute them from anywhere, consider creating a ~/bin directory and adding it to your PATH environment variable. This allows you to run the scripts from any location without specifying the full path.

2. System-wide Use

• /usr/local/bin: For scripts that need to be accessible to all users on the system, /usr/local/bin is a standard location. Placing scripts here requires root privileges but makes the scripts globally executable. This directory is commonly used for manually installed software and scripts.
• /opt: For more substantial applications, especially those that might have multiple files or require isolation from the rest of the system, /opt is a common choice. You might place your script here if it’s part of a larger package or application.

3. Development Projects

• Project-specific Directories: For scripts that are part of a development project, they should reside within the project’s directory structure, typically in a src or scripts directory, depending on the project’s organization.

4. System Scripts

• /usr/bin: Reserved for binary executables and scripts that are installed by the system’s package manager. You should avoid placing custom scripts here to prevent conflicts with package-managed files.
• /etc: For configuration scripts or scripts that are part of the system’s startup or management routines, /etc or its subdirectories could be appropriate, though this is less common for user-created scripts.

Adding Scripts to PATH

To make scripts executable from any directory, add their location to your PATH environment variable. You can do this by editing your shell’s configuration file (e.g., ~/.bashrc for Bash or ~/.zshrc for Zsh) and appending a line like:

export PATH="$PATH:/path/to/your/script/directory"

After making changes, either restart your terminal session or source the configuration file (e.g., source ~/.bashrc) to apply them.

Permissions

Ensure your scripts have the execute permission set for the intended users. Use chmod to set the appropriate permissions, e.g., chmod +x myscript.py to make myscript.py executable.

Following these guidelines can help maintain an organized and secure environment for your scripting and development activities on Linux.