Running a .py file in a loop

Question

I am currently trying to run a .py file but in a loop. Just for a test I am using

I = 0
while I<10:
    os.pause(10)
    open(home/Tyler/desktop/test.py)
    I = I + 1

I am sure this is a very simple question but I can't figure this one out. I would also like to add in the very end of this I have to make this run infinitely and let it run for some other things.

When you post questions on StackOverflow it's usually helpful to include any errors you have to make it easier for people to help you. — DanielGibbs, Mar 14 '16 at 21:40

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 14 '16 at 21:42

There are a few reasons why your code isn't working:

Incorrect indentation (this may just be how you copied it on to StackOverflow though).
Using os without importing it.
Not using quotes for a string.
Mis-using the open function; open opens a file for reading and/or writing. To execute a file you probably want to use the os.system.

Here's a version that should work:

import os

i = 0
while i < 10:
    os.pause(10)
    os.system("home/Tyler/desktop/test.py")
    i += 1

score 2 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:31

2

Python is indentation-sensitive, and your code is missing indentation after the while statement!
Running the open command will not run the Python script. You can read what it does here in the docs: https://docs.python.org/2/tutorial/inputoutput.html#reading-and-writing-files
This stack overflow question talks about how to run Python that's stored in another file How can I make one python file run another?

I recommend wrapping the code you want to run in a function, e.g.
```
 def foo():
     print 'hello'
```
and then saving this in foo.py. From your main script, you can then do:
```
import foo

i = 0
while i < 10:
    foo.foo()
    i += 1
```
If you want to run something in an infinite loop, you need the condition for the while loop to always be true:
```
while True:
    # do thing forever
```
A note on importing: The example I have given will work if the foo.py file is in the same directory as the main Python file. If it is not, then you should have a read here about how to create Python modules http://www.tutorialspoint.com/python/python_modules.htm

edited May 23 '17 at 12:31

Community

1
1

answered Mar 14 '16 at 21:46

lochsh

366
1
12

I changed your variable I to i, as it is generally considered bad to have variables with capital letters in python, see the style guide: https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0008/ – lochsh Mar 14 '16 at 21:49
I was going to use this for two programs so also thank you for responding because you also fixed both of my problems – TylerTotally Mar 14 '16 at 21:52
Thanks TylerTotally :) Maybe you can give me an upvote if you liked my answer ;o – lochsh Mar 14 '16 at 21:53
No problem! obviously I am very new to this judged by my repetition and my python programing ability. My "mother tongue" is JavaScript so this is all new waters – TylerTotally Mar 14 '16 at 21:56
Good luck on your Python journey! It's so much easier to read than JS in my opinion! Just give yourself a little time :) – lochsh Mar 14 '16 at 22:22

Running a .py file in a loop

2 Answers2

Linked

Related