How to Run Python Program
An essential component of learning and utilizing Python is running Python programs. There are a number of main ways to run your Python code, which are frequently divided into script and interactive modes. One simple method for experimenting with small programs.
Use the Interactive Interpreter (Shell)
- You see the results instantly as you input commands line by line.
- The shell is another name for the interactive interpreter.
- The interpreter normally outputs some information about itself when you launch it, followed by a prompt (commonly >>>) where you can enter instructions in Python.
- This close relationship between typing and viewing results enables quicker experimenting.
- Python’s integrated development environment, or IDLE, has a Python shell in an interactive window.
Running Programs from a File (Script Mode)
- In addition to a Python IDE, you can use your preferred editor, such VS Code, Sublime, Gedit, or even Notepad, to create your Python code in a text file.
- Use a.py extension when saving the file. This extension makes it easier for IDLE and other programs to identify the file as a Python program.
- After saving, you can instruct Python to run the file, which entails executing each statement sequentially from top to bottom.
Programs contained in files can be executed in a variety of ways.- Using the Python Command Line: You can use a command line interface to launch the Python interpreter and supply it with the filename (python your_program.py, for example). This is sometimes referred to as command line or console running.
- Within an IDE: Writing, editing, running, and saving programs is made possible by integrated development environments like as IDLE or PyCharm. You create code in an editing window and execute it in IDLE’s script mode; the output frequently shows up in the interactive window. They also use other IDEs, such as Visual Studio Code and Spyder.
- Run as a Script File: Include the Python interpreter in the script file (typically a “shebang line” on Unix-like platforms).
- Clicking the File Icon:
- On some operating systems, like Windows, you can launch a.py file by clicking on its icon. When executing this method on Windows, it can be easier to maintain the output window open by including an input() call at the conclusion of the script.
- Noninteractive execution is another term for running a program from a file.
- Other Execution Options: Code contained in ZIP files or unique PX files can be executed by Python applications.
- Python can be used to start external, non-Python programs or other Python scripts. This can be accomplished with modules such as subprocess. A web browser can be specifically launched to a specified URL using the webbrowser.open() function.
What Happens When You Run Code
- Code can be executed from a string or file in the current session using the exec() statement or, in previous Python versions, execfile().
- Python programs are often executed synchronously, with code being executed line by line. The caller waits until the function returns after calling it. In order to increase throughput, asynchronous programming uses ideas like asyncio or libraries like trio to avoid waiting for activities like file or network I/O. Asynchronous frameworks come in a variety of forms.
What Takes Place When You Run Code
- Statements are executed by the Python interpreter. This occurs as you type in interactive mode. When in script mode, it runs the file’s statements from top to bottom.
- During interactive execution, context information is accumulated.
Errors may arise:
- Syntax errors occur when the code is invalid Python code, which stops it from running. Syntax highlighting in an editor can often help you identify these.
- Runtime mistakes arise during the actual execution of a program.
In conclusion, knowing these several ways to execute Python programs is essential to your programming journey, regardless of whether you are rapidly testing a line of code in the interactive shell or executing a sophisticated application stored as a script.
