IPython is a very helpful tool in prototyping and testing code in python. Its many rich features make exploring code base's painless and easy.

installation

pip install -U ipython
ipython

magic

ipython has a set of "magic" commands + %load - loads file (copies file into repl) + %run - runs file (global variables and functions enter namespace) + %magic - list magic variables + %hist - history of current or previous repl sessions + %timeit - time execution of python statement

help

question mark

Using the "?" we can find methods that match certain patterns and we can look up docstrings/source code. This can help us understand parameters and method function. The "?" can also be used with magic commands! + np.load? + requests.get?? => source code + requests.get? => docstring + %timeit? + %magic + %help

debugging

• %pdb => automatically jump into debugger when exception occurs
• %debug => jump into debugger on last exception
• %run -d filename.py => execute program via debugger
• %whos

recalling past commands

where X is the number of the output/input + output: _X + input: _iX

logging sessions

• %logstart -ort
• %logoff
• %logon
• %logstate