How to run – Python

Learn how to run Python code?

You can execute Python code from the terminal or from a Python IDE. An IDE is a graphical environment that assitsts in software development.

If you are new to Python, I recommend this course:

All Python programs are written in code, text files with lots of instructions. These are saved with the extension .py.

Note: Often a Python program is not just one file, but many files.

To run a Python program, you need to have Python installed.

Python installed?

Open a terminal and type:

where file.py is the name of your program. If you have more than one file, the main program is often the name of the program itself;

Sometimes an easier way to execute Python programs is using a Python IDE. In a Python IDE, you simply press the ‘play’ button.

pycharm toolbar

The image above shows the header of the program PyCharm, a Python IDE. The green play button can be used to start a program.