ipython/executable-find returns nil in Emacs 22.1 on XP

ipython/executable-find returns nil in Emacs 22.1 on XP

[Park Hays]

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Using Emacs 22.1 on Windows XP.
Particular file which precipitates this is in ipython.el, revision 2275.

The problem I'm experiencing is that the lisp which is, in effect,
(executable-find "ipython")
returns nil.
When I go to the command prompt (cmd.exe) I type "ipython" and the correct
behavior occurs--namely a python session with ipython starts.  Therefore, I
assert that my path variables are correct.

I do not understand how executable-find goes about finding executables.
However, I suspect the problem is that the actual file executed when I type
"ipython" at the command prompt is named "ipython.py".  XP has an
environment variable called "PATHEXT", which contains a semicolon-delimited
list of file extensions which are executed.  I believe their is a
corresponding registry entry which tells the system how to execute scripts.

I don't know for certain, but I suspect a call to exec() will work
correctly--that is, invoke the script with its appropriate interpreter.

There is enough traffic on the newsgroup archives to suggest this may be the
cause of many problems people experience when trying to use emacs with
external applications.  Or maybe it is just me :).

I love GNU Emacs, and having it on WinXP has been a delight.  Thanks for all
your hard work!

-Park

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Re: ipython/executable-find returns nil in Emacs 22.1 on XP

[Jason Rumney]

Park Hays wrote:
> I don't know for certain, but I suspect a call to exec() will work
> correctly--that is, invoke the script with its appropriate interpreter.
To test this theory, try the following

(add-to-list 'exec-suffixes ".py" t)

If it doesn't work, then you'll need to modify ipython.el to use a more
cross-platform way of running python shell scripts (probably via
shell-command rather than executing it directly).