From 0053c47785fc86d261f9d40cd11d943dd96d1a3d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Terry Jan Reedy Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2015 03:09:43 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] Issue 21995: Explain some differences between IDLE and console Python. --- Doc/library/idle.rst | 25 +++++++++++++++++++++---- Lib/idlelib/help.html | 38 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++--------- 2 files changed, 50 insertions(+), 13 deletions(-) diff --git a/Doc/library/idle.rst b/Doc/library/idle.rst index c149aa91a35..fe8e89ed0ec 100644 --- a/Doc/library/idle.rst +++ b/Doc/library/idle.rst @@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ IDLE has the following features: * coded in 100% pure Python, using the :mod:`tkinter` GUI toolkit -* cross-platform: works on Windows, Unix, and Mac OS X +* cross-platform: works mostly the same on Windows, Unix, and Mac OS X * Python shell window (interactive interpreter) with colorizing of code input, output, and error messages @@ -492,8 +492,8 @@ Shell colors: black -Startup -------- +Startup and code execution +-------------------------- Upon startup with the ``-s`` option, IDLE will execute the file referenced by the environment variables :envvar:`IDLESTARTUP` or :envvar:`PYTHONSTARTUP`. @@ -538,10 +538,27 @@ If there are arguments: ``sys.argv`` reflects the arguments passed to IDLE itself. +IDLE-console differences +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ + +As much as possible, the result of executing Python code with IDLE is the +same as executing the same code in a console window. However, the different +interface and operation occasionally affects results. + +For instance, IDLE normally executes user code in a separate process from +the IDLE GUI itself. The IDLE versions of sys.stdin, .stdout, and .stderr in the +execution process get input from and send output to the GUI process, +which keeps control of the keyboard and screen. This is normally transparent, +but code that access these object will see different attribute values. +Also, functions that directly access the keyboard and screen will not work. + +With IDLE's Shell, one enters, edits, and recalls complete statements. +Some consoles only work with a single physical line at a time. + Running without a subprocess ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ -By default, Idle executes user code in a separate subprocess via a socket, +By default, IDLE executes user code in a separate subprocess via a socket, which uses the internal loopback interface. This connection is not externally visible and no data is sent to or received from the Internet. If firewall software complains anyway, you can ignore it. diff --git a/Lib/idlelib/help.html b/Lib/idlelib/help.html index 83d2a23f9d3..e026f112559 100644 --- a/Lib/idlelib/help.html +++ b/Lib/idlelib/help.html @@ -79,7 +79,7 @@

IDLE has the following features:

+
+

25.5.4.2. IDLE-console differences

+

As much as possible, the result of executing Python code with IDLE is the +same as executing the same code in a console window. However, the different +interface and operation occasionally affects results.

+

For instance, IDLE normally executes user code in a separate process from +the IDLE GUI itself. The IDLE versions of sys.stdin, .stdout, and .stderr in the +execution process get input from and send output to the GUI process, +which keeps control of the keyboard and screen. This is normally transparent, +but code that access these object will see different attribute values. +Also, functions that directly access the keyboard and screen will not work.

+

With IDLE’s Shell, one enters, edits, and recalls complete statements. +Some consoles only work with a single physical line at a time.

+
-

25.5.4.2. Running without a subprocess

-

By default, Idle executes user code in a separate subprocess via a socket, +

25.5.4.3. Running without a subprocess

+

By default, IDLE executes user code in a separate subprocess via a socket, which uses the internal loopback interface. This connection is not externally visible and no data is sent to or received from the Internet. If firewall software complains anyway, you can ignore it.

@@ -599,9 +618,10 @@ are currently:

  • 25.5.3. Syntax colors
    • -
  • 25.5.4. Startup