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Execute python script in terminal

A basic python looks something like the following.

# file: sample.py
print("Hello World!!!")

python sample.py is a command that tells the Python interpreter to execute a Python script named sample.py.

Here’s what each part means:

• python: This is the command used to run the Python interpreter.
• sample.py: This is the name of the Python script file you want to execute. In this case, it’s named sample.py.
• When you run python sample.py in your command-line interface (CLI), the Python interpreter will execute the code contained within the sample.py file. This allows you to run Python scripts from the command line or terminal.

Execute python project in terminal

A sample project will look something like the following.

pwd
/path/to/project/

tree
.
├── README.md
├── sample_project
│   ├── __init__.py
│   ├── __main__.py

To trigger this sample_project, we can simply pass it as a parameter to python command.

# path: /path/to/project/
python sample_project

When the above command is triggered, python interpreter will look inside the sample_project folder and search for __main__.py file. the Python interpreter will execute the code contained within the __main__.py file.

This is called as Python package with an executable module

Advantages

• Modularity: By organizing your code into a package with a __main__.py file, you can break down your project into smaller, more manageable modules. Each module can focus on specific functionality, making your codebase easier to understand, maintain, and reuse.
• Reusability: Packages can be reused across different projects or within the same project. You can import modules from your package into other scripts or projects, enabling code reuse without duplicating functionality.
• Testability: Modular code is typically easier to test than monolithic scripts. With a package structure, you can write unit tests for individual modules or subpackages, allowing for more comprehensive testing of your codebase.
• Scalability: As your project grows in complexity, a package-based structure provides scalability. You can easily add new modules or subpackages without cluttering a single script, making it easier to manage larger projects over time.
• Entry Points: Using a __main__.py file allows your package to define entry points for execution. This can be useful for command-line tools or applications where you want users to interact with your package as a standalone program.