Executing python code

Question

I am starting fresh with python and trying to execute a code from the python command window. I wrote a file on Desktop\practice\new.py and lunched the python command window.

when I type

C:\users\user\Desktop\practice\new.py

it gives me

SyntaxError: invalid syntax

Executing from CMD worked, but from python window didnt!

Any help?

EDIT2: when i put the compiled code in the directory and use the 'import' it runs, but when the compiled is not in the same directory it won't execute

EDIT: the file contains a simple print statement nd is sytax error free

`C:\users\user\Desktop\practice\new.py` is not valid python syntax. The "python command window" is a python intepreter, not a shell. — Wooble, Sep 20 '11 at 13:58
"sytax error free"? If you can't run it, how do you know this? — S.Lott, Sep 20 '11 at 15:38
@Lott: because im successfully running it from cmd! but i wanna c if there is a way from IDLE — Syntax_Error, Sep 21 '11 at 15:14

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:27

3

Everything is explained in here: http://docs.python.org/faq/windows.html#how-do-i-run-a-python-program-under-windows

The main point that when you launch python shell. Its like a live programming. Try to type in it:

>>> print 'hello world'

If you want to launch your file - run in cmd: python C:/users/user/Desktop/practice/new.py

UPDATE: If you do want to run file from within python shell - it was answered here: How to execute a file within the python interpreter?

edited May 23 '17 at 12:27

Community

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answered Sep 20 '11 at 14:04

JackLeo

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I successfully ran from the cmd, but wanted to try from the python shell, because In Orelie learning book they have an example to use import and reload and they somehow load the file within the shell! – Syntax_Error Sep 20 '11 at 14:12

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 20 '11 at 14:00

When you say you're using the "python command window" I'm guessing you mean IDLE...? If so, rather than try to type a command to run a script you've already created as a file, just use File > Open to open that file and then press F5 to run it. Good luck!

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 20 '11 at 14:01

The python command window is expecting python commands. Try typing 'import system' or 'print 1+2'.

If you want to run the code in another file you need to use 'import'. Its easier if you start in the same directory, in which case just doing 'import new' will work.

However, there's already a 'new' module in the python library, so the easiest thing to do is to rename your file something else...

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered May 02 '12 at 03:39

1

It is not working because you are entering the path like c:\users\user\desktop\practice\new.py.....

now try this way: c:/users/user/desktop/practice/new.py
I hope this will work for you i.e. just change '\' to '/' have a try...

answered May 02 '12 at 03:39

diffracteD

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score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Sep 20 '11 at 14:02

0

You can run the file like this:

execfile(r'C:\users\user\Desktop\practice\new.py')

answered Sep 20 '11 at 14:02

reader_1000

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ed. · Answer 6 · 2011-09-20T14:03:17.040

-1

Edit: read the comments below this answer before trying it!

Try this:

import sys
sys.path.append("C:\users\user\Desktop\practice\")
import new #won't work - call it something other than new.py...

edited Sep 20 '11 at 14:03

answered Sep 20 '11 at 13:57

ed.

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Note that this doesn't work (even ignoring the syntax error) for all module names. Namely, the first file or package that's in any of the dirs in `sys.path` is loaded. Stdlib modules and `easy_install`'d modules usually come before your own paths. – Sep 20 '11 at 14:00
And there _is_ a 'new' module in (at least) my python library! – Spacedman Sep 20 '11 at 14:02
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Fair point. Call it something other than "new.py" then, or run: "python c:\users\user\Desktop\practice\new.py" to execute it directly. – ed. Sep 20 '11 at 14:02

Executing python code

6 Answers6