Contents
This tutorial will show you how to run a Python script in terminal. You will also learn how to make your script executable.
Checkout this video:
Introduction
This guide will show you how to run a Python script in Terminal on macOS. Python is a versatile language that can be used for many different programming tasks, from basic scripts to complex machine learning algorithms. You can run Python scripts in Terminal by calling the python3 command and passing the name of your script as an argument.
Before you begin, make sure that you have Python 3 installed on your computer. You can check this by running the following command in Terminal:
python3 – version
If you see a message that says something like “Python 3.7.2”, then you have Python 3 installed and you can proceed to the next section. If not, then you will need to install it before continuing.
What is a Python Script?
A Python script is a program written in the Python programming language. It is typically stored in a file with a “.py” extension. When you run a Python script, the interpreter converts the code into instructions that it can understand and executes them.
How to Run a Python Script in Terminal
If you’re using a Mac, you can open the Terminal by going to Applications > Utilities > Terminal. On Windows, open the Command Prompt by going to Start > Run and typing cmd.
Before you can run a Python script, you have to tell the terminal where the Python interpreter is located. This is done with the shebang line at the top of your script:
#!/usr/bin/env python3
This line tells the terminal that it should use the Python interpreter at /usr/bin/env to run this script.
After you save your script, you have to make it executable so that the terminal will be able to run it. On a Mac, you do this by opening up Terminal and typing:
chmod +x /path/to/script.py
On Windows, you need to install the py launcher so that you can run Python scripts from the command prompt without having to type out the full path to the interpreter:
python -m pip install py launcher
Why Run a Python Script in Terminal?
There are a few reasons why you might want to run a Python script in Terminal. For starters, if you’re working on a project that requires a lot of Terminal commands, it can be tedious to type out the full path to your Python interpreter every time. Additionally, running Python scripts in Terminal can make it easier to incorporate them into your shell scripts or Automator workflows. Finally, some developers prefer to work in Terminal because it provides them with more control and flexibility than working in an IDE.
What are the Benefits of Running a Python Script in Terminal?
Running a Python script in Terminal has a number of benefits. First, it allows you to run the script without opening a Python IDE. This can be handy if you want to quickly run a script without having to open an IDE and set up your project.
Second, running your script in Terminal gives you more control over how the script is executed. For example, you can choose to run the script with or without debugging information. This can be helpful when you’re trying to track down bugs in your code.
Finally, running your Python script in Terminal can help you better understand how Python works. By seeing all of the commands that are executed when you run your script, you can better understand what each line of code does. This can be helpful when you’re learning Python or when you’re trying to troubleshoot code that isn’t working as expected.
How to Get Started Running a Python Script in Terminal
Assuming you have already installed Python 3.x on your system, open a terminal window and type:
“`
$ python3 myscript.py
“`
This will run your Python script located in the current directory. myscript.py can be replaced with the name of your own Python script.
If your script is located in another directory, you will need to specify the full path to the script, like this:
“`
$ python3 /Users/username/folder/myscript.py
“`
Conclusion
Now that you know how to run a Python script in Terminal, try it out with your own code. You can also use Terminal to run Python scripts from other programs, such as TextEdit. With a little practice, you’ll be able to run Python scripts with ease.
