How To Clear Screen In Python Shell

Clearing the screen in the Python shell is a common task for many developers while working within the shell.

It helps you maintain a clean and organized workspace, making it easier to spot errors and read your code. In this tutorial, we will demonstrate how to clear the screen in the Python 3 shell using different methods for different operating systems.

Step 1: Using the os module

The os module in Python contains several functions that allow developers to interact with their operating system. To clear the screen, we will use the os.system() function, which allows us to execute a shell command. Depending on the operating system, the command for clearing the screen will differ.

First, you need to import the os module:

1
import os

Next, we will write a function to clear the screen based on your operating system.

1
2
3
4
5
def clear_screen():
    if os.name == 'posix': # for Linux and Mac
        os.system('clear')
    elif os.name == 'nt': # for Windows
        os.system('cls')

Call the function whenever you want to clear the screen:

1
clear_screen()

Finally, you can put it all together:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
import os
 
def clear_screen():
    if os.name == 'posix': # for Linux and Mac
        os.system('clear')
    elif os.name == 'nt': # for Windows
        os.system('cls')
 
clear_screen()

Step 2: Using the subprocess module

Another way to clear the screen is by using the subprocess module, which allows more flexibility than the os.system() function. Check out the following code:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
import subprocess, os
 
def clear_screen():
    if os.name == 'posix': # for Linux and Mac
        subprocess.run('clear', shell=True)
    elif os.name == 'nt': # for Windows
        subprocess.run('cls', shell=True)
 
clear_screen()

Note: The subprocess module is built on top of the os module, so you may not see any significant difference in performance. However, some developers find using the subprocess module more helpful due to its additional features.

Full code

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
import os
 
def clear_screen():
    if os.name == 'posix': # for Linux and Mac
        os.system('clear')
    elif os.name == 'nt': # for Windows
        os.system('cls')
 
clear_screen()
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
import subprocess, os
 
def clear_screen():
    if os.name == 'posix': # for Linux and Mac
        subprocess.run('clear', shell=True)
    elif os.name == 'nt': # for Windows
        subprocess.run('cls', shell=True)
 
clear_screen()

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we have demonstrated two methods for clearing the screen within Python 3.7 using the os and subprocess modules. You can choose either method based on your preference. Using the right method will help in improving your workflow and maintaining a clean work environment within the Python shell.