Effortlessly Run a Python Script

How to Run Your Python Scripts and Code

A Python script or program is a file containing executable Python code. Being able to run Python scripts and code is probably the most important skill that you need as a Python developer. By running your code, you’ll know if it works as planned. You’ll also be able to test and debug the code to fix errors and issues. Ultimately, you write code in order to run it and accomplish tasks.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn about some of the techniques for running Python scripts and code. The technique that you’ll use in each situation will depend on your environment, platform, needs, and skills.

How to Run Python Scripts From the Command Line

Using the python Command

One of the simplest ways to run a Python script is by using the python command in the command line or terminal. Here is an example of how to run a Python script named script.py:

python script.py

Using the Script’s Filename Directly

If the Python script has the appropriate shebang line at the beginning (#!https://codemdd.io/usrhttps://codemdd.io/binhttps://codemdd.io/env python), you can also run the script by directly calling its filename:

.https://codemdd.io/script.py

Running Modules With the -m Option

You can also run Python modules directly from the command line using the -m option. Here is an example of how to run a module named mymodule:

python -m mymodule

How to Run Python Code Interactively

Getting to Know the Python Interpreter

The Python interpreter is a powerful tool that allows you to execute Python code interactively. To start the interpreter, simply type python in the command line or terminal. You can then enter Python code line by line and see the results immediately.

Running Python Code Interactively

Once you have started the Python interpreter, you can execute Python code interactively. Simply enter your code line by line and press Enter to see the results. This is a great way to experiment and test small pieces of code.

How to Run Scripts From Python Code

Taking Advantage of import Statements

Another way to run Python scripts is by importing them as modules in another Python script. This allows you to reuse code from existing scripts and execute specific functions or statements. Here is an example of how to import a script named script.py and run a function named my_function:

import script

script.my_function()

Using the importlib Standard-Library Module

The importlib module in the Python standard library provides more advanced tools for running scripts dynamically. You can use the import_module function to import a script and execute its functions or statements. Here is an example:

import importlib

module = importlib.import_module('script')
module.my_function()

Leveraging the Power of the Built-in exec() Function

The exec() function in Python allows you to execute dynamically generated Python code. You can use this function to run entire scripts or specific blocks of code. Here is an example:

code = """
print('Hello, World!')
"""

exec(code)

How to Run Python Scripts on IDEs and Code Editors

Most popular Python IDEs and code editors provide built-in support for running Python scripts. They often have dedicated buttons or keyboard shortcuts that allow you to run scripts with a single click. Consult the documentation of your specific IDE or code editor to learn how to run Python scripts within its environment.

How to Run Python Scripts From a File Manager

Some operating systems allow you to execute Python scripts by simply double-clicking on the file in a file manager. However, this method might require some additional configuration to work properly.

To run a Python script from a file manager, make sure the script has the appropriate shebang line at the beginning (#!https://codemdd.io/usrhttps://codemdd.io/binhttps://codemdd.io/env python). You may also need to set the file’s permissions to executable.

Conclusion

Running Python scripts and code is an essential skill for Python developers. In this tutorial, you learned various techniques for running Python scripts from the command line, interactively, from Python code, on IDEs and code editors, and from file managers. Choose the method that suits your needs and environment best. With the ability to run your code, you can test, debug, and accomplish your tasks with confidence. Now, go ahead and start running your Python scripts!