Module won't work in IDLE

Question

This has been troubling me for the past hour. My python script won't run; however, if I select 'check module', input the code, and run the same thing it works. It's a very simple script:

import pyscreenshot as getImage

im = getImage.grab(bbox=(1300,800,1500,850))
im.save("screen.png")

What do you mean by "doesn't run"? Perhaps it is running but saving the image in a folder that you don't expect. — John Coleman, Feb 17 '18 at 23:54
@JohnColeman The script doesn't fully run. It pauses/freezes when it gets to "im = getImage.grab(bbox=(1300,800,1500,850))". The script is still running, but nothing happens. — user3133476, Feb 17 '18 at 23:59
Have you installed PIL or Pillow @user3133476? (it says to install it in the tutorial, the on on PyPI) — Mr.Zeus, Feb 18 '18 at 00:05
You may want to install another one of the other back-ends @user3133476. — Mr.Zeus, Feb 18 '18 at 00:11

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 18 '18 at 02:09

Try running through terminal and it will work.

Although I do not know why this happens exactly (probably ask those who maintain it) I can tell you it is because of some terminal dependant function that is created while running.

The IDLE is not actually a terminal so it cannot run exactly like a terminal (although it outputs the same content, it is not a terminal). For example running os.get_terminal_size() under the IDLE will not work yet the terminal will. There are also some functions in PIL that perform in the same way.

Anyway this post shows a pretty similar code and it is mentioned it doesn't work under the IDLE.

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 18 '18 at 04:10

You need to set childprocess=False as IDLE has problems with multiprocessing. IDLE runs user code in a separate process so with pyscreenshot IDLE hangs and seems like the module won't work. You may go through this to know more.

An option is to turn off multiprocessing by setting childprocess=False.

Try:

import pyscreenshot as getImage 
im = getImage.grab(bbox=(1300,800,1500,850), childprocess=False) 
im.save("screen.png")

Module won't work in IDLE

2 Answers2