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2.1: The Python Shell

Last updated

Mar 30, 2025
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- 2.0: Introduction
- 2.2: Type Conversion

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this section you should be able to

Use a Python shell to run statements and expressions interactively.
Explain the function of the up and down arrow keyboard shortcuts.

The interpreter

Python is a high-level language, meaning that the source code is intended for humans to understand. Computers, on the other hand, understand only low-level machine code made up of 1's and 0's. Programs written in high-level languages must be translated into machine code to run. This translation process can happen all at once, or a little at a time, depending on the language.

Python is an interpreted language: the source code is translated one line at a time while the program is running. The Python interpreter translates source code into machine code and runs the resulting program. If and when an error occurs, the interpreter stops translating the source code and displays an error message.

Most development environments include a Python shell for experimenting with code interactively. A shell, also called a console or terminal, is a program that allows direct interaction with an interpreter. The interpreter usually runs an entire program all at once. But the interpreter can run one line of code at a time within a Python shell.

Checkpoint: Running a Python shell

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Concepts in Practice: Using a Python shell

Python is a _____ language.

high-level

low-level

Which of the following is the most basic line of code the interpreter can run?

print(1 + 1)
1 + 1
1

What result does the shell display after running the line name = input()?

the name that was input
nothing (except for >>>)

The arrow keys

A Python shell is convenient for exploring and troubleshooting code. The user can try something, look at the results, and then try something else. When an error occurs, an error message is displayed, but the program keeps running. That way, the user can edit the previous line and correct the error interactively.

The acronym REPL (pronounced "rep ul") is often used when referring to a shell. REPL stands for "read-eval-print loop," which describes the repetitive nature of a shell:

Read/input some code
Evaluate/run the code
Print any results
Loop back to step 1

Most shells maintain a history of every line of code the user types. Pressing the up or down arrow key on the keyboard displays the history. The up arrow displays the previous line; the down arrow displays the next line. That way, the user can repeat a line without having to type the line again.

Checkpoint: Correcting a typo

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Concepts in Practice: Using the arrow keys

Which arrow keys were needed to edit the typo?

only the up arrow key

the up and down arrows

the up and left arrows

What keys would the user press to go back two lines?

press the up arrow twice
press the down arrow twice
press the left arrow twice

Try It: Exploring the shell

Running code interactively is a great way to learn how Python works. Open a Python shell on your computer, or use the one at python.org/shell. Then enter any Python code, one line at a time, to see the result. Here are a few expressions to try:

x = 5
3*x - 5
3 * (x-5)
x
type(1)
type('1')
str(1)
int('1')
abs(-5)
abs(5)
len("Yo")
len("HoHo")
round(9.49)
round(9.50)

Note: These functions (type, str, int, len, and round) will be explored in more detail later in the chapter. You can read more about the built-in functions in the Python documentation.

Try It: Correcting mistakes

Open a Python shell on your computer, or use the one at python.org/shell. Run the following two statements in the shell:

x = 123
y = 456

Making mistakes is common while typing in a shell. The following lines include typos and other errors. For each line: (1) run the line in a shell to see the result, (2) press the up arrow to repeat the line, and (3) edit the line to get the correct result.

print("Easy as", X)
print("y divided by 2 is", y / 0)
name = intput("What is your name? ")
print(name, "is", int(name), "letters long.")
print("That's all folks!)

The expected output, after correcting typos, should look like:

Easy as 123
y divided by 2 is 228.0
(no error/output)
Stacie is 6 letters long.
That's all folks!