Get 'libs' directory from within Python regardless of Python installation structure

Question

While patching a program I wrote I noticed that I had no safe way to actually get the directory of 'libs', or even 'include' from within the Python installation itself. Every single time I tried to find any python used directory, I just assumed they would always be in the same place, and thus hard-coded them in. Now you might wonder why I am having trouble with this, I mean it's just a simple join call after a sys check, right?

import os, sys

python_base_directory = sys.exec_prefix
libs_directory = os.path.join(python_base_directory, 'libs')

This code works most of the time, but will fail when you are using a virtual environment, or in my case, using travis_ci.

I want to be able to get the path to the 'libs' directory without hard coding anything.

This looks like a classic [XY problem](https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/66377/what-is-the-xy-problem). Please make sure to ask about your problem, not what you think the solution might be. What is your _real_ goal? — ChrisGPT was on strike, Mar 31 '16 at 01:02
To get the 'libs' directory path no matter python installation structure — Nick Pandolfi, Mar 31 '16 at 01:24
For _what purpose_? There is probably a better way to approach your problem. — ChrisGPT was on strike, Mar 31 '16 at 01:25
That is almost certainly not your real goal. What do you intend to do with that information once you have it? Please review the XY Problem link I included in my first comment. — ChrisGPT was on strike, Mar 31 '16 at 11:45
I see what you mean. Ill ask another question, and edit this one with a link. — Nick Pandolfi, Mar 31 '16 at 18:05
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/36341553/return-the-include-and-libs-directories-from-within-python — Nick Pandolfi, Mar 31 '16 at 19:01

Get 'libs' directory from within Python regardless of Python installation structure

0 Answers0