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Table of Contents

  • Getting to Know the Python Standard REPL
    • What Is Python’s Interactive Shell or REPL?
    • Why Use a Python REPL?
  • Starting and Terminating REPL Interactive Sessions
    • Running the python Command
    • Passing Command-Line Options to the python Command
    • Exiting the Current Python REPL Session
  • Running Code in a REPL Session
    • Evaluating Expressions and Simple Statements
    • Running Compound Statements
    • Dealing With Explicit and Implicit Line Continuations
    • Printing vs Evaluating
    • Flagging and Understanding Errors
    • Using the _ Implicit Variable
    • Reloading Imported Modules
  • Editing Code in the Python REPL
    • Code History and Navigation
    • Auto-Indentation
    • Safe Multiline Paste and Paste Mode
    • Quick REPL Commands
    • Code Autocompletion
    • Syntax Highlighting
  • Getting Help and Introspecting Code in the REPL
    • Using Python’s Built-in Help System
    • Introspecting Your Code Dynamically
  • Customizing the Standard REPL
    • Providing a Startup File
    • Colorizing REPL Output for Python Before 3.13
    • Customizing the Color Theme in Python 3.14 and Later
  • Uncovering Missing Features in the Standard REPL
  • Using an Alternative REPL
  • Conclusion
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Video Course
Getting the Most Out of the Python Standard REPL