VS Code Keeps Generating Pycache Files

Question

I already added the following snippet to the top of my python codes to prevent pycache files from being generated.

import sys
sys.dont_write_bytecode = True

Now, if I run the files (unit tests) individually, no pycache file is generated. However, as soon as I use the Testing feature of VS Code to run all unit tests one after another, it consistently generates a pycache folder.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Answer 1

Reasons for Pycache folder generation

When B.py import A.py, there will generate a A.pyc

How to avoid .pyc files

1. python3 -B test.py Use this command run the .py file.
2. add the following code into the .py file:

import sys sys.dont_write_bytecode = True

3. Setting environment variables

   PYTHONDONTWRITEBYTECODE=1

According to your situation, I suggest you tring the third way to avoid the .pyc file.

Answer 2

Just adding on here in case this helps anyone, make sure you place the assignment to sys.dont_write_bytecode above any other (non builtin) imports, or those imports might incur caching.