Time for action – using the Python help system
Depending on your operating system, you can access the Python shell with special applications, usually a terminal of some sort.
In such a terminal, type the following command to start a Python shell:
$ python
You will get a short message with the Python version and other information and the following prompt:
>>>
Type the following in the prompt:
>>> help()
Another message appears and the prompt changes as follows:
help>
If you type, for instance,
keywords
as the message says, you get a list of keywords. Thetopics
command gives a list of topics. If you type any of the topic names (such as LISTS) in the prompt, you get additional information about the topic. Typingq
quits the information screen. Pressing Ctrl + D together returns you to the normal Python prompt:>>>
Pressing Ctrl + D together again ends the Python shell session.
What just happened?
We learned about the Python interactive shell and the Python help system.