The Python interpreter is a program that executes Python code. It reads your Python scripts or individual commands, interprets them, and carries out the instructions they contain. The interpreter is responsible for executing your code line by line, evaluating expressions, and producing results.
When you install Python on your computer, it includes the Python interpreter as part of the installation. The interpreter provides an interactive environment where you can enter Python commands directly and see the results immediately. This interactive mode is useful for experimenting, testing code snippets, and quickly trying out Python features.
To use the Python interpreter, follow these steps:
Open a command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS, Linux).
Type
pythonorpython3(depending on your system configuration and Python version) and press Enter. This command starts the Python interpreter and presents you with a prompt, usually indicated by>>>.You can now enter Python commands and see the output immediately. For example, you can try simple arithmetic operations, assign values to variables, call built-in functions, and more.
python2 + 3 5name = "John"print("Hello,", name)Hello, JohnPress Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Ctrl+D (macOS, Linux) to exit the interpreter when you’re done.
In addition to the interactive mode, you can also run Python scripts using the interpreter. To do this, create a text file with a .py extension and write your Python code inside it. For example, you can create a file named script.py and include the following code:
print("Hello, World!") Save the file and navigate to its location using the command prompt or terminal. Then, execute the script by typing python script.py and pressing Enter. The interpreter will read the script file, execute the code, and display the output.
The Python interpreter is a powerful tool for running Python code interactively or executing scripts. It allows you to quickly test ideas, experiment with different code snippets, and develop your Python programs.