This talk is an introduction to ipython, which is a much nicer command shell than the default python shell. Presentation slides are here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1rI9iQT9OJHKL7wsaFqNkdGRwI32q3W3F0ojg6Df0Dcg/edit?usp=sharing.

You have a few options:

1. The no install way: Click on . Once the interface finishes loading, click on New -> Terminal. Once the terminal comes up, type ipython.

2. The slightly harder way: install anaconda python, a python distribution that comes with ipython included. https://docs.anaconda.com/anaconda/install/. Once anaconda is installed and in your path, type ipython.

3. The hard core way: install ipython in your current python distribution. Generally, this will be pip install ipython. Once installed, type ipython.

1. Make sure you have a prompt that looks something like this. Note that your versions may be slightly different, but you should see the a prompt that says In [1]: rather than >>>.

   Python 3.9.2 | packaged by conda-forge | (default, Feb 21 2021, 05:02:46) 
   Type 'copyright', 'credits' or 'license' for more information
   IPython 7.21.0 -- An enhanced Interactive Python. Type '?' for help.
   
   In [1]: 
   

2. Print "hello world": type print("hello world")

3. Clear the screen: type clear

4. Get the docstring for the print function: type print?

5. Execute an os shell command to list the current directory: type !ls

6. Be super lazy and don't even bother with the ! for common os commands like ls: type ls

7. Take advantage of automatic indendation:

   In [1]: def foo():
      ...:     print("foo!")
      ...:     print("baz!")
      ...: 
   

8. Exit ipython and start it up again. Hit the up arrow until you get the foo function definition from the previous session:

   In [3]: exit
   $ ipython
   Python 3.9.2 | packaged by conda-forge | (default, Feb 21 2021, 05:02:46) 
   Type 'copyright', 'credits' or 'license' for more information
   IPython 7.21.0 -- An enhanced Interactive Python. Type '?' for help.
   
   In [1]: def foo():
      ...:     print("foo!")
      ...:     print("baz!")
   

9. Search through your command history for the last line that started pr: type pr at a new prompt and hit the up arrow.

10. Carelessly copy and paste a code snippet that still has the ipython prompt or the python prompt and execute. Copy and paste: >>> print("hello world")

11. Read https://ipython.readthedocs.io/en/stable/overview.html for more!