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51 Python Help

Python includes a help utility that can be accessed by typing 'help()' in the Python shell. Users can inquire about modules, keywords, or topics, and receive guidance on writing Python programs. The document emphasizes the utility's importance for learning Python and understanding third-party modules that may lack documentation.

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12 views2 pages

51 Python Help

Python includes a help utility that can be accessed by typing 'help()' in the Python shell. Users can inquire about modules, keywords, or topics, and receive guidance on writing Python programs. The document emphasizes the utility's importance for learning Python and understanding third-party modules that may lack documentation.

Uploaded by

bhavishmatli
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Python Help!

Python has a great help utility.

WE'LL COVER THE FOLLOWING

• Wrapping Up

Python comes with a handy help utility. Just type “help()” (minus the quotes)
into a Python shell and you’ll see the following directions (Python version may
vary)

help()

Welcome to Python 2.6! This is the online help utility.

If this is your first time using Python, you should definitely check out
the tutorial on the Internet at [Link]

Enter the name of any module, keyword, or topic to get help on writing
Python programs and using Python modules. To quit this help utility and
return to the interpreter, just type "quit".

To get a list of available modules, keywords, or topics, type "modules",


"keywords", or "topics". Each module also comes with a one-line summary
of what it does; to list the modules whose summaries contain a given word
such as "spam", type "modules spam".

help>

Note that you now have a “help>” prompt instead of the “>>>”. When you are
in help mode, you can explore the various modules, keywords and topics
found in Python. Also note that when typing the word “modules”, you will see
a delay as Python searches its library folder to acquire a list. If you have
installed a lot of 3rd party modules, this can take quite a while, so be prepared
to go fix yourself a mocha while you wait. Once it’s done, just follow the
directions and play around with it and I think you’ll get the gist.

Wrapping Up #
Now you know how to take an unknown module and learn a lot about it by
just using some of Python’s built-in functionality. You will find yourself using
these commands over and over again to help you learn Python. As I
mentioned earlier, you will find these tools especially helpful for the 3rd Party
modules that don’t believe in documentation.

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