How to keep a Python script output window open?

Question

I have just started with Python. When I execute a python script file on Windows, the output window appears but instantaneously goes away. I need it to stay there so I can analyze my output. How can I keep it open?

Answer 1

You have a few options:

1. Run the program from an already-open terminal. Open a command prompt and type:

   python myscript.py
   

   For that to work you need the python executable in your path. Just check on how to edit environment variables on Windows, and add C:PYTHON26 (or whatever directory you installed python to).

   When the program ends, it'll drop you back to the cmd prompt instead of closing the window.

2. Add code to wait at the end of your script. For Python2, adding ...

   raw_input()
   

   ... at the end of the script makes it wait for the Enter key. That method is annoying because you have to modify the script, and have to remember removing it when you're done. Specially annoying when testing other people's scripts. For Python3, use input().

3. Use an editor that pauses for you. Some editors prepared for python will automatically pause for you after execution. Other editors allow you to configure the command line it uses to run your program. I find it particularly useful to configure it as "python -i myscript.py" when running. That drops you to a python shell after the end of the program, with the program environment loaded, so you may further play with the variables and call functions and methods.