How to clear Python Shell in IDLE

Question

I'm running a script that uses a module that prints a lot of things on screen and I'm running out of RAM.
I can't make the module not to write anything for now.
The Python Shell stores absolutely everything and I want to clear it.
On similar questions the only answer I could find was to write os.system('cls') (on Windows), but it doesn't delete anything.
Is there a way to clear the Python Shell or to limit its size?
Thanks

Edit.
Well, this question was marked as duplicate and I am asked to clarify why it isn't.
I state that os.system('cls') doesn't work, while the answer to the question I supoosedly duplicate is to write os.system('cls').

What exactly do you mean by "Python Shell", python command line? chrome extension? idle shell? some other IDE shell? — Dima Tisnek, Jul 03 '13 at 18:07
I was talking about the window called 'Python Shell' that opens with the icon called 'IDLE (Python GUI)' (on MS Windows). — José, Jul 12 '13 at 14:52

Mongoose1021 · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-03T18:22:48.510

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By python shell, do you mean IDLE? Some quick googling suggests that IDLE doesn't have a clear screen even though lots of people seem to want one. If it's in a shell, then I'm surprised 'cls' isn't working.

If you like working in Idle, you might look at this for getting the functionality you want: http://idlex.sourceforge.net/extensions.html#ShellEnhancements The internet seems to think you should just stop using IDLE, however.

edited Jul 03 '13 at 18:22

answered Jul 03 '13 at 18:07

Mongoose1021

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Question is about freeing up memory, not about clearing screen. – Ashwini Chaudhary Jul 03 '13 at 18:08
It's about both. The window get so big I suspect it's one of the culprits. – José Jul 03 '13 at 18:15
Yes, I mean IDLE. Thanks. – José Jul 03 '13 at 18:17
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@José clearing screen is not related to RAM, if you've created some large lists in memory then clearing screen won't free any memory. – Ashwini Chaudhary Jul 03 '13 at 18:20
+1, don't use IDLE. ipython for quick stuff, pycharm as fat ide. – Dima Tisnek Jul 12 '13 at 16:34

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 03 '13 at 18:02

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How are you running the script? Are you calling it from a shell? If so, you can redirect all output to a file like this:

python my_script.py > /out/to/some/path.log

answered Jul 03 '13 at 18:02

Jordan

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Or `/dev/null` if you don't care about the output. – nmichaels Jul 03 '13 at 18:03

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 03 '13 at 18:05

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If the module is just printing, you can use this:

import sys
sys.stdout = open('/dev/null', 'a') # or a real file, if you care about output.

answered Jul 03 '13 at 18:05

nmichaels

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How to clear Python Shell in IDLE

3 Answers3