Why is using the # symbol as a preface not a comment?

Question

< - - Linux Noob. I am normally on Raspberry, but the # symbol caused me to move my question here. Attempting to run a script, and failing, I found answers in Raspberry to use the following (preceded by the symbol #):

#!/usr/bin/env python

Link here describes my confusion. I thought # indicated a comment (in Linux and in Raspberry Python). I don't understand the # symbol at the beginning of the command prompt. #!/usr/bin/env python.

Question : Is the # symbol to be typed in?

I suspect the # symbol shows only because that otherwise the command would be executed.

@Jobin . thank you. I searched but searching for "!" or "#" yielded zero. Good link. Hopefully my question can yield a link for others — Marla, May 20 '14 at 02:38

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered May 20 '14 at 02:32

1

Yes, the # sign must be used. This is a special-case comment called a shebang line that causes the program specified (/usr/bin/env python in your case) to be run with the path to your program as an argument WikiPedia's page on Shebang is very good.

answered May 20 '14 at 02:32

jkt123

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I saw a reference in my link to "Shebang", but thought that was a slang word. Live and learn. Nice to know. – Marla May 20 '14 at 02:35

Why is using the # symbol as a preface not a comment?

1 Answers1