How to open a Python Script in IDLE from a Python script

Question

So I've been finding a few answers but none of them do the trick. I'd like to open a file (script.py) in IDLE using a python script (openscript.py). It seems os.system or subprocess.Popen should do the trick but I can't seem to find the correct link to open in IDLE.

import os
def openFile():
    filename = "script.py"
    os.system("C:\\Program Files\\Python38\\Lib\\idlelib\\idle.pyw " + filename)

openFile()

What's the issue ? Does Idle open at all or is just the 'script' not shown in Idle ? — Maurice Meyer
– Maurice Meyer, Commented Feb 16, 2021 at 11:43
C:\Users\xyz\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python38\Lib\idlelib>idle.bat C:\Users\xyz\py\filename.py — AcK
– AcK, Commented Feb 16, 2021 at 11:49
Stylistic suggestion: consider r' ... ' so you don't have to escape all those backslashes — Unrelated String
– Unrelated String, Commented Feb 16, 2021 at 12:39

Terry Jan Reedy · Accepted Answer · 2021-02-16 18:57:44Z

2

Since .pyw is Windows-only, you must be running on Windows. When asking a question, always give the error message, as it likely has the answer. On Win10, your code results in a Windows error box saying that there is no app associated with that file and a suggestion to install one if needed. Replacing os.system with subprocess.run gives the error OSError: [WinError 193] %1 is not a valid Win32 application. So replace idle.pyw with the application that will run IDLE. The following (saved as tem3.py) works for me when run either from an IDLE editor or Command Prompt.

import subprocess as sub
def openFile():
    filename = "f:/Python/a/tem3.py"
    sub.run(r"C:\Programs\Python39\pythonw.exe -m idlelib " + filename)

openFile()

answered Feb 16, 2021 at 18:57

Terry Jan Reedy

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3 Comments

Igor Markovic Over a year ago

Perfect thank you very much! -m idlelib at the end of the link to python did the trick!

Igor Markovic Over a year ago

Just as an addition: using subprocess.Popen makes the script you're executing continue. Using subprocess.run stops your script untill you close IDLE.

Terry Jan Reedy Over a year ago

Right. Depends on what one wants. IDLE itself uses .Popen to start the subprocess that executes user code.

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