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Asked: 2024-09-23T17:36:27+05:30 In:

How can I set up a Python script to run using Python 3 from the command line?

I’ve been trying to get this Python script of mine to run from the command line, but I’m kind of stuck. I have Python 3 installed (at least I think I do—I checked, but who knows if it’s the right version?). The script I want to run is pretty simple; it’s just a basic “Hello, World!” program. But every time I try to execute it, nothing happens, or I get these weird error messages.

So, what I’m wondering is, what’s the best way to set it up so that I can run my script directly from the command line? I’ve read a few articles online, but they either assume you already know a bunch or they get super technical really quickly. I mean, I’m just a regular person trying to learn Python, not a computer science wizard.

I saved my script as `hello.py` and it’s sitting in this folder on my desktop. Should I be navigating to that folder first? I heard something about using the `cd` command, but when I tried it, I ended up in some directory that looks like a maze. And then there’s the part where I type `python hello.py`. Do I need to specify anything else, like a path or something? The last thing I want is to fall into a rabbit hole of different versions of Python!

Also, if you have any tips on error messages—like the common ones I might encounter or how to troubleshoot them—that would be amazing. I just want to understand how this whole command line thing works in relation to Python scripts. It seems like everyone else just breezes through it, so I must be missing something basic. Help me out here! What do I need to do to set everything up right so I can actually see my script in action? Thanks in advance for any pointers!

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    2 Answers



    1. Running Python Scripts from Command Line

      How to Run Your Python Script

      To run your Python script `hello.py`, follow these steps:

      1. Check if Python is Installed

      Open your command line interface (Terminal on macOS/Linux or Command Prompt on Windows) and type:

      python --version

      or, if you installed Python 3 specifically:

      python3 --version

      This should show you the version of Python installed. If you see something like Python 3.x.x, you’re good to go!

      2. Navigate to the Folder with Your Script

      Yes, you’ll need to navigate to the folder where your script is saved. Use the cd command (which stands for “change directory”).

      For example, if your `hello.py` script is on your desktop, you might type something like:

      cd Desktop

      This will get you to the Desktop. If your script is in a folder within the Desktop, keep going like this:

      cd YourFolderName

      Replace YourFolderName with the actual name of the folder.

      3. Run Your Script

      Once you’re in the correct folder, you can run your Python script! Type:

      python hello.py

      or, if Python 3 is installed separately:

      python3 hello.py

      If everything is set up correctly, you should see Hello, World! printed out!

      Common Error Messages

      Here are a few common errors and what they usually mean:

      • Command not found: This means Python isn’t installed correctly or isn’t added to your system’s PATH variable.
      • No such file or directory: You probably aren’t in the right folder. Double-check your cd commands.
      • SyntaxError: There might be a typo in your script. Make sure your code looks correct.

      Helpful Tips

      Try to pay attention to any messages you see after running the commands. They can give clues about what’s going wrong. If you see a strange error message, just search for it online—it’s likely someone else has faced the same issue!

      Don’t get discouraged! It takes time to get used to the command line. Keep practicing, and you’ll get the hang of it!




    2. Running Python Script from Command Line

      To run your `hello.py` script from the command line, you’ll first need to ensure that you’re in the correct directory where the script is saved. Since your script is located on your desktop, you can navigate to that folder using the `cd` command. Open your command line interface and type `cd Desktop` if your operating system is set up in such a way that the Desktop is in your home directory. If your script is inside a specific folder on the desktop, make sure to include that folder name, like so: `cd Desktop/YourFolderName`. Once you’ve navigated to the right directory, you can verify if your script is there by typing `ls` on macOS/Linux or `dir` on Windows. This will list the files in the current directory. If you see `hello.py`, you’re ready to run your script.

      After navigating to the correct directory, you can execute your script by typing `python hello.py`. If you have multiple versions of Python installed, you might need to specify which version to use by typing `python3 hello.py`. If you receive error messages, pay attention to what they say; common issues include syntax errors (wrong coding) or file not found errors (wrong path). To troubleshoot, carefully read the message and check your code against common examples online. If you’re having trouble with versions, you can check your Python installation by typing `python –version` or `python3 –version`, ensuring you are calling the correct interpreter. This should help you get your script running and understanding the command line interactions with Python scripts better.


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