What is the correct way to unset a linux environment variable in python?
PythonEnvironment VariablesPython Problem Overview
From the documentation:
> If the platform supports the unsetenv() function, you can delete items in this mapping to unset environment variables. unsetenv() will be called automatically when an item is deleted from os.environ, and when one of the pop() or clear() methods is called.
However I want something that will work regardless of the availability of unsetenv(). How do I delete items from the mapping if it's not available? os.environ['MYVAR'] = None?
Python Solutions
Solution 1 - Python
Just
del os.environ['MYVAR']
should work.
Solution 2 - Python
For those who search for an elegant way to unset environment variable without errors if the variable does not exist:
os.environ.pop('MYVAR', None)
That works exactly as:
if 'MYVAR' in os.environ:
del os.environ['MYVAR']
But if you need to deal with the exception, do what other users suggested: del os.environ['MYVAR'] or os.environ.pop('MYVAR').
Solution 3 - Python
You can still delete items from the mapping, but it will not really delete the variable from the environment if unsetenv() is not available.
del os.environ['MYVAR']
Solution 4 - Python
Try this if you need a valid method, such as in TestCase.addCleanup()
os.environ.pop('MYVAR')