How to Run a Python Script- A Step by Step Guide

How to Run a Python Script

Hey there! So, you’ve got a Python script and you're ready to see it running, but you don't know exactly where to start? No need to worry, you have come to the right place! Running a Python script is easier than you might think, even if you're new to programming.

Through this Python Tutorial, I'll tell you the simple steps on How to run a Python script, How to run a Python script in terminal, and much more. If you want to learn more about various concepts of Python, consider enrolling in our Python Certification Training.

What Are Scripts and Modules?

Before we start running Python scripts, let's understand what exactly we're working with. In Python Programming, 

• A script is a file containing a series of instructions that tells Python what steps to follow to execute a specific outcome you want. These instructions can be anything from simple arithmetic operations to complex algorithms. 
• Modules in Python are like toolkits that have pre-made functions and variables that can be used in your scripts. They help in organizing the code and make it easier to reuse certain functions across different scripts.

Running Python Scripts in Terminal: The Basics

Now, let's talk about how to actually run those Python scripts using the terminal. Think of the terminal as a command center for your computer – it's where you can type in commands to make things happen. Running a Python script in the terminal is like giving your computer a set of instructions written in Python code and asking it to execute them. Below are the steps discussed to run your Python script in a Terminal:

1. To start, open up your terminal window. If you're using Windows, you can find it by searching for "Command Prompt" or "PowerShell" in the Start menu. If you're on macOS or Linux, you can usually find it by searching for "Terminal" in your applications.
2. Once you've got your terminal open, navigate to the directory where your Python script is located using the cd command. For example, if your script is in a folder called "my_scripts" on your desktop, you'd type cd Desktop/my_scripts and press Enter.
3. Now that you're in the right directory, you can run your Python script by typing python script_name.py and pressing Enter. Replace "script_name.py" with the name of your actual Python script file.

And that's it! Your Python script should now run in the terminal, and you'll see any output or results right there in front of you. Easy, right?

How to run a Python script in Linux?

If you're using Linux, running a Python script in Python 3 is quite straightforward. First, open your terminal. Navigate to the directory where your script is located using the cd command. For example:

cd path/to/your/script

python3 script_name.py

Running Python Scripts as Executables

#!/usr/bin/env python3

chmod +x script_name.py

./script_name.py

How to Run Python on Windows

cd path\to\your\script

python script_name.py

How to run a Python file in vscode?

1. Open the terminal in VSCode by pressing `Ctrl + ``.
2. Navigate to your script's directory.
3. Run the script with python script_name.py.

Running Python command line argument

In your script, you can handle arguments using the sys module:

import sys

print(sys.argv)

python script_name.py arg1 arg2

Running Python Scripts from a File Manager

1. Right-click the Python file.
2. Select "Open with Python" or an equivalent option. 

Ensure your system is configured to recognize .py files with the Python interpreter.

How to run Python script directly in Kivy file?

# main.py
from kivy.app import App
from kivy.uix.label import Label

class MyApp(App):
    def build(self):
        return Label(text="Hello, Kivy!")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    MyApp().run()

python main.py

How to Run a Python Script using Docker?

FROM python:3.8
COPY script_name.py /
CMD ["python", "./script_name.py"]

docker build -t my-python-script .

docker run my-python-script

Running Python Scripts using an IDE or a Text Editor

1. Open your project.
2. Right-click your Python script and select "Run".

In Sublime Text, ensure you have the SublimeREPL package installed. Open your script and use Ctrl + B to run it.

Conclusion