Running Python File in Terminal: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

How to Run Python Scripts and Code

Python scripts and code are essential for any Python developer. They allow you to accomplish tasks, test your code, and fix errors. In this tutorial, we will explore various techniques for running Python scripts and code in different environments. Whether you are using the command line, an interactive interpreter, an IDE, or a file manager, we’ve got you covered.

What Scripts and Modules Are

Before we dive into running Python scripts, it’s important to understand what scripts and modules are. A Python script or program is a file that contains executable Python code. Scripts are typically used to automate tasks and perform specific functions.

On the other hand, modules are files that contain Python code which is meant to be imported into other scripts or programs. Modules encapsulate reusable functionality, making the code more modular and maintainable.

How to Run Python Scripts From the Command Line

The command line or terminal is a powerful tool for running Python scripts. You have multiple options for executing Python code from the command line:

Using the python Command: The most straightforward way to run a Python script is by using the python command followed by the script’s filename. For example:
```
python script.py
```
Using the Script’s Filename Directly: If your script has the correct shebang line (#!https://codemdd.io/usrhttps://codemdd.io/binhttps://codemdd.io/env python), you can also run it by directly typing the filename. Don’t forget to make your script executable using chmod +x script.py. For example:
```
.https://codemdd.io/script.py
```
Running Modules With the -m Option: If you want to run a Python module as a script, you can use the -m option followed by the module’s name. For example:
```
python -m module_name
```

How to Run Python Code Interactively

Python provides an interactive mode that allows you to experiment with code and get immediate results. Here’s how you can run Python code interactively:

Getting to Know the Python Interpreter: The Python interpreter is an interactive command-line interface where you can run Python code line by line. Simply open the terminal and type python to start the interpreter.
Running Python Code Interactively: Once you are in the Python interpreter, you can type or paste the Python code directly and press Enter to execute it. This allows you to test small snippets of code or try out different commands without the need for a separate script file.

How to Run Scripts From Python Code

In addition to running scripts directly from the command line or interactively, you can also run Python scripts from within other Python code. This can be useful if you want to dynamically execute scripts based on certain conditions. Here are a few ways to run scripts from Python code:

Taking Advantage of import Statements: One way to run a Python script is by importing it as a module using the import statement. This allows you to execute functions or classes defined in the script. For example:
```
import script_name
script_name.main()
```
Using the importlib Standard-Library Module: If you need more flexibility, you can use the importlib module to dynamically import and run a script. This allows you to specify the filename at runtime. For example:
```
import importlib
script_name = importlib.import_module('script_name')
script_name.main()
```
Leveraging the Power of the Built-in exec() Function: The exec() function in Python allows you to dynamically execute Python code stored in a string. You can use this function to run an entire script or specific code snippets. For example:
```
with open('script.py', 'r') as f:
    script_code = f.read()
exec(script_code)
```

How to Run Python Scripts on IDEs and Code Editors

If you prefer using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) or a code editor for writing and running Python code, there are various options available. Most IDEs and code editors have built-in support for running Python scripts. Here’s a general overview of how to run Python scripts on popular IDEs and code editors:

PyCharm: Right-click on the script file and select “Run” or use the keyboard shortcut Shift+F10.
Visual Studio Code: Open the integrated terminal and use the python command followed by the script’s filename.
Atom: Use the script package, which allows you to run Python scripts directly from the editor.
Sublime Text: Install the SublimeREPL package and use the SublimeREPL: Python option to run Python scripts.

These are just a few examples, and the process may vary depending on the IDE or code editor you are using. Refer to the documentation or search for specific instructions for your preferred development environment.

How to Run Python Scripts From a File Manager

In some cases, you might want to run a Python script without opening the command line or an IDE. You can accomplish this by configuring your operating system’s file manager to run Python scripts directly. Here’s a general approach for different operating systems:

Windows:

Right-click on the script’s file and select “Properties.”
Go to the “General” tab and click on the “Change” button next to “Opens with.”
Select the Python interpreter from the list or browse for the Python executable (e.g., python.exe).
Click “OK” to save the changes.

macOS:

Right-click on the script’s file and select “Get Info.”
Expand the “Open With” section and select the desired Python interpreter from the dropdown menu.
Click “Change All” to apply the changes to all files with the same extension.

Linux:

Right-click on the script’s file and select “Properties” or “Open With.”
Choose the Python interpreter from the list of available applications.
Check the “Remember this application for ‘Python script’ files” option if available.

Please note that the steps provided above may differ slightly depending on your specific operating system version or file manager.

Conclusion

Running Python scripts and code is essential for any Python developer. In this tutorial, we explored various techniques for running Python scripts in different environments. Whether you are using the command line, an interactive interpreter, an IDE, or a file manager, you now have the knowledge to run your Python code effectively. Experiment with different methods and find the workflow that suits you best. Happy coding!