In this article, running Python file, we have curated a step-by-step tutorial for you which will give guidance on ways to run a python file on your system.
Introduction
Python, in simple words, is a programming language that has some amazing semantics. This high-level interpreted language emphasizes readability which decreases the maintenance cost of a program. Python’s job is to support packages and modules. This support encourages code reuse and any modularity related to a program.
If you are a Python developer, you must know how to run a Python file, which can be both scripts and code. Running the file will be the only way you would know whether your code works according to the plan or not. In this article, we have curated a step-by-step tutorial for you which will give guidance on ways to run a python file.
What are the different kinds of Python files?
In computing language, the word script stands for a file that consists of a sequence of orders. In simple words, a script is a program that is stored in a text file. There is also another kind of Python file that is named as a module. A module consists of a code that is imported and used from another file.
The biggest difference between a script and module is that the former is made to be executed directly but the latter needs to be imported.
In both cases, the crucial thing is to learn to run a Python code that you write into a file which can either be a module or a script.
Different Ways to Running Python File
The Python interpreter can run a Python file in these different ways:
- Interactive
- Command Line
- IDE or text editor
- File Manager
Interactively operate a Python code
This is the most used way to run a Python code. To start this interactive session, open a terminal and type the name of your Python installed, and press Enter. Once you are in, you can run your Python code as you like. The one disadvantage of this method is that as soon as your interactive session is over, your code will disappear.
An interactive session is a brilliant tool in a way that tests every code you type in. You can experiment with this language in a lot of ways.
How Does the Interpreter Run different kinds of Python Scripts?
While running a Python script, you will encounter a long process. During this process, the interpreter will help in sequentially processing your script and combine the source code in a format that is called bytecode.it will then send the code for its execution.
At the point of execution, a Python Virtual Machine comes to life. This machine is the engine of Python. This machine is a cycle that goes through all the instructions of the bytecode and makes them run one after the other.
The PVM is an important part of the Python installed and is the last step of the process called Python interpreter. This whole process in which a Python script is made to run is called the Python Execution Model.
Command-Line help in running Python Scripts
The thing with a Python interactive session is that it does allow you to write a lot of code lines but once the session is over, you lose everything. This is the reason why most Python experts use plain text files to write Python programs. These text files use the standard .py extension. If you are someone who has just entered the world of Python programming, you can try Sublime Text, as an editor to create a Python code.
To be able to run a Python script using the command, open a command line. Once opened, type the name of the python installed and press Enter. If all works well, you will see a welcoming phrase, Hello World! in front of your eyes, signifying that you have run your Python script.
If, for instance, because of some error, this doesn’t go well, check your Python installation, your PATH, or your script. This is the easiest way to run a Python file.
Python offers several command-line options that you can use to run a Python module. To run a Python module, the command that you can use is as follows -m <module-name>.
This -m option looks for the sys. path to figure out the name of the module and then run that file.
Using IDE or A Text Editor to run Python Scripts
An integrated development environment (IDE) or a text editor is mostly recommended when you are developing some complex applications.
Both these programs help in running your Python scripts from inside the Python environment created.
Most of Python’s distributions have IDLE instead of IDE as their default setting. You can use this setting to run your Python files.
Any available advanced text editor can also help you run a Python script. The most used and recommended editor is Sublime Text.
File Manager
Running a Python script through a file manager is also one of the methods used to run a Python file. However, this method isn’t a popular option during the development stage. This is because this option has a few limitations and depends on many factors such as file associations, permissions for execution, and the file manager.
Conclusion
Now that you have read this article and have come across a variety of options to run a Python file, make sure you practice all these ways for a better understanding. No skill is achievable until you put it to test and to become a Python expert, you need to do just that.