In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a Python file from the command line in Linux. This process is quite straightforward, and it’s a vital skill for any programmer or Linux user to be familiar with. Creating your files from the command line can make your coding process faster and more efficient.
Step 1: Open a Terminal Window
The first step is to open a terminal window in Linux. You can do this by finding the terminal among your applications, or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+T.
Step 2: Navigate to the Appropriate Directory
Once you have your terminal window open, you will need to use it to navigate to the directory, or folder, where you want your new Python file to be located.
You can navigate through your folders by using the cd command, which stands for “change directory.” The syntax for this command is:
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cd your-folder-name |
Step 3: Create Your Python File
Next, you will create your new Python file using the touch command. This command creates a new file with the given name. It can be used with any type of file, but in this tutorial, we’re focusing on Python files. The syntax for this command is:
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touch your-file-name.py |
The .py extension tells the terminal that you’re creating a Python file.
Step 4: Verify that Your File Has Been Created
You can verify that your file has been created by using the ls command. This command will display all the files in your current directory. If your file was created successfully, it should appear in this list.
The new Python file you’ve created is currently empty. You can open it and edit it with a text editor. If you want to use the terminal for this as well, you can usually use the nano or vim commands.
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nano your-file-name.py or vim your-file-name.py |
Step 5: Making the Python File Executable
For running the Python file directly from the command line, you need to make it executable. You can do this by using the chmod command. The syntax for this command is:
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chmod +x your-file-name.py |
Code in Sequence
Here is the sequence of commands we used:
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cd your-folder-name touch your-file-name.py ls nano or vim your-file-name.py chmod +x your-file-name.py |
Conclusion
Creating a Python file from the command line in Linux is a simple and efficient process. Mastering this skill will help you improve your programming workflow and save you time.