Python Pocket Reference, Second Edition

The sys Interpreter Module

The sys module contains interpreter-related exports. It also provides access to some environment components, such as the command line, standard streams, and so on.

argv

Command-line argument strings list: [command, arguments...]. Like C’s argv array.

byteorder

Indicates the native byte-order (e.g., big for big-endian). New in 2.0.

builtin_module_names

Tuple of string names of C modules compiled into this Python interpreter.

copyright

String containing the Python interpreter copyright.

dllhandle

Python DLL integer handle; Windows only (see the Python Library Reference).

displayhook(func)

Called by Python to display results in interactive sessions; assign sys.displayhook to a one-argument function to customize output.

_ _displayhook_ _

Original value of displayhook (for restores).

excepthook(type, value, traceback)

Called by Python to display exception details to stderr; assign sys.excepthook to a three-argument function to customize exception displays.

_ _excepthook_ _

Original value of excepthook (for restores).

exc_info( )

Returns tuple of three values describing the exception currently being handled: (type, value, traceback). Specific to current thread. Subsumes exc_type, exc_value, and exc_traceback in Python 1.5 and later.

exc_type

Type of exception being handled (when an exception has been raised). Not thread-specific.

exc_value

Exception’s parameter (second argument to raise). Not thread-specific.

exc_traceback

Exception’s traceback object. Not thread-specific. ...