Can't Open Python IDLE

Question

Getting the following code opening in the console in 9 separate screens when I try to open Python IDLE. As far as I'm aware, there isn't anything that I have done to the original install. Any ideas? Tried uninstalling and reinstalling but no luck. The code shown when I open the program is...

try:
    import idlelib.PyShell
except ImportError:
    # IDLE is not installed, but maybe PyShell is on sys.path:
    try:
        from . import PyShell
    except ImportError:
        raise
    else:
        import os
        idledir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(PyShell.__file__))
        if idledir != os.getcwd():
            # We're not in the IDLE directory, help the subprocess find run.py
            pypath = os.environ.get('PYTHONPATH', '')
            if pypath:
                os.environ['PYTHONPATH'] = pypath + ':' + idledir
            else:
                os.environ['PYTHONPATH'] = idledir
        PyShell.main()
else:
    idlelib.PyShell.main()

I only have the option to close this window and not to create a new Python file.

_"Getting the following message..."_ Sorry, what message? I just see a code block here. — Kevin, Jan 20 '15 at 17:56
Sorry, formatting mess and possible poor sytax on my part. What I mean is this is the code that it's opening up when I try to run IDLE — user1480135, Jan 20 '15 at 17:58
The formatting was all over and so I've put it as a code snippet although this probably isn't what I was supposed to do as it's put it in as Javascript. Anyway, you get the idea — user1480135, Jan 20 '15 at 17:59
Sorry for the confusion due to my clarity. When I attempt to open IDLE from Python 3.4 install on Windows 8.1 I get that code pop up with 8 other blank white windows instead of IDLE editor — user1480135, Jan 20 '15 at 18:06
How did you install Python? How exactly are you trying to run it? — jonrsharpe, Jan 20 '15 at 18:13
Installed it from the MSI installer. I'm just running it from the IDLE shortcut on the start menu. — user1480135, Jan 20 '15 at 18:30

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 21 '15 at 04:58

I am an Idle maintainer and it is very unclear how you tried to open Idle, what you mean by '9 screens', and what you 're-installed', and on what system and version of Python.

The easiest way to start Idle with installed Python is to use the Start menu icon (on Windows) or the equivalent on other systems. On a command line, use python -m idlelib, where python starts some version of installed 3.x. For uninstalled 3.x or 2.x, use idlelib.idle. From within Python, import idlelib.idle starts Idle.

If you have python 2.7 or 3.4 properly installed and running, so that python -m test.regrtest runs and passes (.regrtest is only needed for 2.x), I would be very surprised if Idle did not run with the methods above.

The code you posted is idlelib/idle.pyw. It is used by idlelib/idle.bat and may have other specialized uses, such as running Idle with a subprocess call. I suspect that it is partially obsolete. In any case, I doubt it will be helpful to you.

Can't Open Python IDLE

1 Answers1