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To: python-list@python.org
From: Terry Reedy <tjreedy@udel.edu>
Subject: Re: The usage of -m option of python
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2013 23:03:15 -0400
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On 3/18/2013 5:17 PM, Peng Yu wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I don't quite understand how -m option is used. And it is difficult to
> search for -m in google. Could anybody provide me with an example on
> how to use this option?

python -m test
at a command line runs the regression tests in the test package
python -m test -v test_difflib
runs test.test_difflib in verbose mode.

These are alternatives to
python <path-to-test> ...
Python just searches for module itself, same as for import, but executes 
it as main module instead of importing.

This is really handy for developers running tests, where path-to-test is 
not only a nuisance to type, but different for development builds than 
for installations, and of course, different for each version. Let python 
find the /Lib corresponding to the executable.

I am not sure if it works for things outside /Lib

-- 
Terry Jan Reedy