Running Python Interactive Console

The Python interactive console, also known as Python interpreter or Python shell, provides programmers with a quick way to execute commands and try out and test code without creating a file. UNO objects introspection as well as LibreOffice Python modules documentation can be obtained from the terminal.

From a full-featured LibreOffice installed package, a Basic or Python script locates the embedded copy of Python console.

Using a Basic macro

This routine resorts to Platform class module in order to distinguish the actual operating system.


        Sub interpreter_console
            Set opsys = New Platform
            ps = CreateUnoService("com.sun.star.util.PathSettings")
            install_path = ConvertFromURL(ps.Module)
            If opsys.isMacOSX Then
                cmd = "/System/Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app/Contents/MacOS/Terminal "
                pgm_path = Array( install_path,"..","Resources","python" )
            ElseIf opsys.isLinux Then
                cmd = "x-terminal-emulator -e "
                pgm_path = Array(install_path,"python")
            ElseIf opsys.isWindows Then
                cmd = ""
                pgm_path = Array("python")
            EndIf
            python_interpreter = Join( pgm_path, GetPathSeparator() )
            Shell(cmd + python_interpreter)
        End Sub

Using a Python macro


        # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
        from __future__ import unicode_literals
           
        import uno, os, subprocess
            
        def interpreter_console():
            ctx = XSCRIPTCONTEXT.getComponentContext()
            smgr = ctx.getServiceManager()
            ps = smgr.createInstanceWithContext("com.sun.star.util.PathSettings", ctx)
            install_path = uno.fileUrlToSystemPath(ps.Module)
            pgm = install_path + os.sep + "python"  # Python shell/console path
            subprocess.Popen(pgm)  # Start Python interactive Shell