How can I run a Python 3 script?
Solution 1
You have registered for Ask Ubuntu Q&A, so I'll provide the command for Ubuntu. In Ubuntu open the terminal and type:
sudo apt install python3 idle3 ipython3
python3 is already installed by default in Ubuntu, I have added python3 to the command for the sake of generality with other Linux distributions. IDLE 3 is an Integrated Development Environment for Python 3. Open IDLE 3 and then open your Python script from the menu in IDLE 3 -> File -> Open.
In Windows IDLE 3 is bundled with the Python 3 installation file, and the instructions for opening a Python 3 script in IDLE 3 are the same.
Try both Idle and IPython and see which one you like. I prefer IPython because it's easier to use than Idle. IPython also runs inside Spyder IDE which is convenient for displaying plots and charts inline in the same pane as the code.
You can also install Python 3 in Windows as a portable app. Portable Python is pre-configured to run directly on the Windows OS from any USB storage device, enabling you to have, at any time, a portable programming environment. Portable Python is available for both Python 2 and Python 3. The download options for Portable Python offer you a choice of downloading optional additional Python packages for scientific computing, etc. The installed size of Portable Python (Python 3), based on the selected packages, is between 63MB and 260MB.
Solution 2
On many systems, "python" defaults to "python2", but you can run a script under python 3 simply by doing
python3 myscript.py
Issuing
which python3
will tell you if that's going to work.
Also, if the script includes an appropriate shebang,
./myscript.py
is supposed to work...
Solution 3
For Windows:
- You need to install Python 3 from here
- Follow the setup instructions, making sure to check the box that says whether to add it to the system PATH variable
- Go into
cmd
,cd
to the location of the script, and typepython script.py
, replacingscript
with your filename or open the script with Python Launcher which will have been installed via the installer
To make the script, you can use Python IDLE which was also installed.
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Nicolas Barbulesco
Updated on September 18, 2022Comments
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Nicolas Barbulesco over 1 year
I want to run a Python 3 script.
I have looked in the official doc and FAQ, and they are the typical loss. I was looking for answers, I ended up with more questions.
I have Windows and Linux. On Windows, I don't have Python. On Linux, I have Python, but it is Python 2.6.8. I have tried to run my script with this Python, but this gives an error.
I want something simple : a Python 3 that I would put somewhere in my disk and that I would use to run my script. Where can I find this ?
I am looking for a solution for Windows or Linux.
Thank you.
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NaeiKinDus over 9 yearsAre you sure you do not have python3 installed on your linux box ? Several distros ship it but it is not the default python used to run scripts.
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Nicolas Barbulesco over 9 years@NaeiKinDus - No, I am not sure. I have tried the command
python3
but the command is not found. -
NaeiKinDus over 9 yearsyou could try the following project for linux: code.google.com/p/pts-mini-gpl/wiki/StaticPython You can directly download the Python binary and run it without having to install it on your system.
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Nicolas Barbulesco over 9 years@NaeiKinDus - I have already managed to use the Portable Python suggested by Karel. But StaticPython is good to know.
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Nicolas Barbulesco over 9 yearsRegarding launching the script with "./" , it fails : /usr/bin/env: python3: No file or folder of that type.
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Nicolas Barbulesco over 9 yearsOn Windows, I did not succeed with the Python 3 installer. It asks me for admin auth, even when I choose to install "just for me".
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Nicolas Barbulesco over 9 yearsOn Linux, I don't want to run this kind of command. I have an integration server, and I don't want to install anything in the system. I want to have and use Python 3 in a folder.
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Blaizz over 9 yearsPortable Python is pre-configured to run directly on the Windows OS from any USB storage device, enabling you to have, at any time, a portable programming environment. There is a way to run Python scripts as a regular user without administrative privileges in both Windows and Linux by running the scripts from the Python virtual environment creator (virtualenv). Using virtualenv will improve security when running untrusted Python scripts. You can also install Python 3 itself inside a virtualenv Python virtual environment. However you still need administrative privileges to install virtualenv.
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Blaizz over 9 yearsPortable Python for Python 3 is currently at version 3.2.5.1.
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Nicolas Barbulesco over 9 yearsKarel, I understand that Portable Python and virtualenv are two different things. I am interested in Portable Python !
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Nicolas Barbulesco over 9 yearsThis link does not give Python 3, it gives an installer, .msi. Coming from the Mac, I am not fond of installing programs. Anyway, I have (re-)tried the installer, to no avail. Even when I choose to install "just for me", the installer asks me for admin auth, and it fails. Why can't those people just provide a Zip file ?
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ᔕᖺᘎᕊ over 9 years@NicolasBarbulesco So you want to run python without installing? Like a portable version??
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Nicolas Barbulesco over 9 yearsYes ! I am looking into @karel's solution.
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ᔕᖺᘎᕊ over 9 yearsOK, I didn't see @karel's comments - I agree about using Portable Python, it works fine on a USB for me :)
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Nicolas Barbulesco over 9 yearsThe Portable Python works fine ! Not enough user-friendly to my taste, but I managed to make it run my script.
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Nemo over 9 yearsThen you definitely have to install python 3. I see you're discussing that in the comments to the other answers.
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slhck over 5 yearsHuh, aren't the Windows binaries called
python.exe
? Where did you getpy
from? -
prosti over 5 yearsI don't care, I just use it with
py
when I need to specify the version, butpython
orpython.exe
still works. -
slhck over 5 yearsSo it's not really required. That said, this seems to be a new feature with version 3.6: docs.python.org/3/using/windows.html