python easy_install.pth for sys.path

Question

I looked at my easy_install.pth file in /usr/local/lib/python2.6/dist-packages , which I think is the default directory when I download packages via easy_install. Inside easy_install.pth, one of the entry is the directory itself, ie /usr/local/lib/python2.6/dist-packages . However, when I check sys.path, /usr/local/lib/python2.6/dist-packages is not included in the path itself.

I'm only saying this because I downloaded a package and thought I can use it simply by putting it in /usr/local/lib/python2.6/dist-packages directory.

Answer 1

The easy_install tool installs it in the right place for you. If you don't or can't run it as root then you can place new packages in your private locate.

easy_install-2.6 --user 

Will install in your home directory.