Interactive python [duplicate]

iPython (as suggested in another answer) is indeed a good suggestion, but if you prefer the good old Python interactive interpreter it's not too hard to do it there either. Set your environment variable PYTHONSTARTUP to point to a file that contains, for example:

import atexit
import readline
try:
    readline.read_history_file('.PythonHistory')
except OSError:
    pass
atexit.register(lambda: readline.write_history_file('.PythonHistory'))

this can be tweaked as you wish (e.g. to load and save the same file no matter what directory you're starting from) but I kind of like this simple version as it makes it very easy to have different "sessions" remembered in different working directories.

Not sure if you can do this with the Python shell. But it's possible with IPython which gives you a lot more:

• http://ipython.scipy.org/moin/Cookbook/SavingCurrentSession

Others (ars, Alex Martelli) have given direct answers to the question. For myself, I've found a more effective strategy is to write all of the commands into a text editors and either execute saved scripts and/or copy-and-paste into python or ipython. I find that I can keep myself more organized that way.

There is as well the Bpython interpreter :

http://www.bpython-interpreter.org/

This is the list of features which include the save code and even send the code to a pastebin service.

• In-line syntax highlighting.
• Readline-like autocomplete with suggestions displayed as you type.
• Expected parameter list for any Python function.
• "Rewind" function to pop the last line of code from memory and re-evaluate.
• Send the code you've entered off to a pastebin.
• Save the code you've entered to a file.
• Auto-indentation.