/usr/bin/env

Question

Hi,
I'm trying to find the difference between using env and not using it. Found this:
The env utility is sometimes useful with the ``#!'' construct (see
execve(2)). The only difference between ``#!/usr/local/bin/foo'' and
``#!/usr/bin/env /usr/local/bin/foo'' is that the latter works even if
/usr/local/bin/foo is itself interpreted. Using env this way also allows
one to reference foo without the path, as well as set up the environment
as desired.
Can someone tell me what this means:
The only difference between ``#!/usr/local/bin/foo'' and
``#!/usr/bin/env /usr/local/bin/foo'' is that the latter works even if
/usr/local/bin/foo is itself interpreted.
What is interpreted?
Thanks,

Answer 1

I think I know what this means now.
The shebang line only accepts binary executables. So what it is saying is that if you use env, then the line will accept regular scripts:
#!/usr/bin/env /usr/local/bin/foo
will work even if foo is not a binary executable.
Thanks anyway,