How to get a python script to invoke "python -i" when called normally?

Question

I have a python script that I like to run with python -i script.py, which runs the script and then enters interactive mode so that I can play around with the results.

Is it possible to have the script itself invoke this option, such that I can just run python script.py and the script will enter interactive mode after running?

Of course, I can simply add the -i, or if that is too much effort, I can write a shell script to invoke this.

Unrequested Public Service Announcement: If you use 'python -i' and like tab-completion, you owe it to yourself to check out [iPython](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPython) (Fan, no affiliation.) — JS., Aug 26 '16 at 00:04
I usually use `import IPython; IPython.embed()` if I want to play around with the state of my application. You might find it useful. — Blender, Aug 26 '16 at 01:28
@Blender why not add that to the answers? Also, OP I think the edit is unnecessary, if a user sees this question, he'll scroll down to see the answers. — Dimitris Fasarakis Hilliard, Aug 26 '16 at 02:01
@Jim: It's not that much different from `code.interact(local=locals())`, the interpreter is just prettier. You still have to add code to the end of your script to embed it. — Blender, Aug 26 '16 at 02:06
@Blender fair enough, I'll add it as an addendum to my answer in order to have it in a more visible place. — Dimitris Fasarakis Hilliard, Aug 26 '16 at 02:39

score 22 · Accepted Answer · edited Aug 26 '16 at 02:11

22

From within script.py, set the PYTHONINSPECT environment variable to any nonempty string. Python will recheck this environment variable at the end of the program and enter interactive mode.

import os
# This can be placed at top or bottom of the script, unlike code.interact
os.environ['PYTHONINSPECT'] = 'TRUE'

edited Aug 26 '16 at 02:11

Matthew Moisen

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answered Aug 25 '16 at 22:57

user2357112

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score 8 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:25

8

In addition to all the above answers, you can run the script as simply ./script.py by making the file executable and setting the shebang line, e.g.

#!/usr/bin/python -i
this = "A really boring program"

If you want to use this with the env command in order to get the system default python, then you can try using a shebang like @donkopotamus suggested in the comments

#!/usr/bin/env PYTHONINSPECT=1 python

The success of this may depend on the version of env installed on your platform however.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:25

Community

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answered Aug 26 '16 at 01:10

porglezomp

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This is great! Would you know how to get it working with `#!/usr/bin/env python -i` ? I'm getting a `/usr/bin/env: python -i: No such file or directory` – Matthew Moisen Aug 26 '16 at 01:28
@MatthewMoisen There are some platform-specific ways to do it nicely, and also some horrendous hacks that will potentially work in more places. For the full details see: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3306518/cannot-pass-an-argument-to-python-with-usr-bin-env-python – porglezomp Aug 26 '16 at 01:30
`#!/usr/bin/env PYTHONINSPECT=1 python` – donkopotamus Aug 26 '16 at 02:18
@donkopotamus as the comments in the answer I linked mention, that seems to work on some platforms but not on others. – porglezomp Aug 26 '16 at 02:56

score 6 · Answer 3 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:46

You could use an instance of code.InteractiveConsole to get this to work:

from code import InteractiveConsole
i = 20
d = 30
InteractiveConsole(locals=locals()).interact()

running this with python script.py will launch an interactive interpreter as the final statement and make the local names defined visible via locals=locals().

>>> i
20

Similarly, a convenience function named code.interact can be used:

from code import interact
i = 20
d = 30
interact(local=locals())

This creates the instance for you, with the only caveat that locals is named local instead.

In addition to this, as @Blender stated in the comments, you could also embed the IPython REPL by using:

import IPython
IPython.embed()

which has the added benefit of not requiring the namespace that has been populated in your script to be passed with locals.

score 3 · Answer 4 · edited Aug 26 '16 at 02:09

3

I think you're looking for this?

import code
foo = 'bar'
print foo
code.interact(local=locals())

edited Aug 26 '16 at 02:09

Matthew Moisen

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answered Aug 25 '16 at 22:54

Philip Rollins

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score 1 · Answer 5 · answered Aug 26 '16 at 03:23

1

I would simply accompany the script with a shell script that invokes it.

exec python -i "$(dirname "$0")/script.py"

answered Aug 26 '16 at 03:23

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How to get a python script to invoke "python -i" when called normally?

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