Python Interpreter

Using Command Prompt

The windows command prompt can be accessed via START/RUN/CMD

The phrase "Enter the command ..." means type the command at the prompt and press the Enter key.
C:\Python25 is an example; replace C:\Python25 with the actual drive letter and directory where your Python is installed.

• Open a Windows Console (a.k.a.. "DOS Window"; "Command Prompt Window")
• Navigate to the drive and working directory of your choice.
  See Command Line User Interface > Basic Navigation: www.mhuffman.com/notes/dos/dos.htm#NAV
• Enter one of the following commands to start the Python interpreter:
  • C:\Python25\python
    (The directory C:\Python25 is not in your PATH environment variable)

  • python
    (You have set your PATH variable such that the directory C:\Python25 is in your path)

• At the >>> prompt enter Python statements and expressions.
• If you see ... at the prompt instead of >>> it means Python is waiting for you to complete your statement. This happens when you are typing a compound statement (such as while or if).
• Enter Ctrl-Z to quit (Control key + the 'Z' key