====== Python startup ======

You can configure python using a startup file. Python runs whatever file 
the environment variable ''$PYTHONSTARTUP'' points to.

[[http://docs.python.org/tutorial/interactive.html]]


===== Example: History and Tab-Completion =====
create the file ''.pystartup''
<code python .pystartup>
import atexit
import os
import readline
import rlcompleter

historyPath = os.path.expanduser("~/.pyhistory")
readline.parse_and_bind('tab: complete')

def save_history(historyPath=historyPath):
    import readline
    readline.write_history_file(historyPath)

if os.path.exists(historyPath):
    readline.read_history_file(historyPath)

atexit.register(save_history)
del os, atexit, readline, rlcompleter, save_history, historyPath
</code>

And add one of the following lines to your shell-rc file:
<code bash>
export PYTHONSTARTUP="$HOME/.pystartup"   # .bashrc
setenv PYTHONSTARTUP "$HOME/.pystartup"   # .cshrc
</code>