How to run a Python Script

Running a Python script involves steps fundamental to executing Python code outside of an integrated development environment (IDE) or code editor.

Begin by creating a Python script, which is essentially a plain text file with a .py extension. You can use any text editor or integrated development environment (IDE) to write your code. Python scripts are collections of Python code that can be executed sequentially, automating various tasks or solving specific problems.

Here are the steps to run a Python script:

1. Open a Command Prompt or Terminal window.
2. Navigate to the directory that contains the Python script. You can use the “cd” command to change
   directories.
3. Type “python” followed by the name of the script and the “.py” file extension. For example, if the script is named “myscript.py”, type “python myscript.py” and press Enter.
4. The Python interpreter will execute the script, displaying the output in the Command Prompt or Terminal window.

Alternatively, you can run a Python script using an integrated development environment (IDE) such as PyCharm or Visual Studio Code. Here are the steps to run a Python script using an IDE:

1. Open the IDE and create a new Python file.
2. Write the Python code in the file and save it with a “.py” file extension.
3. Press the “Run” button or use the keyboard shortcut to run the script. The output will be displayed in the IDE’s console.
4. You can also use the IDE’s debugging tools to step through the code, set breakpoints, and analyze the program’s execution.

This process allows you to harness the power of Python for various applications, from simple automation tasks to complex data analysis and machine learning projects.