Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

Python Python Basics (2015) Python for Beginners The Python Shell

Posted by A X
A X
12,842 Points

Not understanding why a seasoned programmer would use the Python shell every day.

Kenneth mentions in his Python shell video that he uses the shell every day. I could understand a beginner needing to use the shell to understand sections of code and what it does, but I'm not understanding why you would continue to utilize the shell after a certain point. Can someone elaborate about why this is helpful long-term?

iamserda
iamserda
2,672 Points

Where would he run the script to test his codes? If you are testing a few lines of code for proper logic, it is very useful.

2 Answers

Aayush Mitra
Aayush Mitra
24,904 Points
Aayush Mitra
Aayush Mitra
24,904 Points

Well, the python shell is good for doing small things that you do not need to save, experimenting, as you said. The new file option is really only for a project that you want to start. I mean, you are right, I do not use the python shell near as much as I used to. I normally just build projects using new files.

Thanks! :)

Ebony Plummer
Ebony Plummer
2,713 Points
Ebony Plummer
Ebony Plummer
2,713 Points

Most programmers write the actual code in a text editor. However, the Python shell is useful for running code to see if it works You can run code written in a text editor in a Python shell by typing "Python" then the name of the file. for example Python Hello_world.py.