3

Is there a way to make IPython console automatically reformat copied code, e.g., 

In [131]: a = [1, 2, 3]

In [132]: a
Out[132]: [1, 2, 3]

with standart Python prompt, i.e., 

>>> a = [1, 2, 3]
>>> a
[1, 2, 3]

The motivation is that:

  1. The line numbers (and perhaps the extra newline as well) make no sense here.
  2. The standard format is readily usable with doctest.

Interestingly, the Qt console of IPython offers both "Copy" and "Copy (Raw Text)", and the default behavior of "Copy" results in the following:

a = [1, 2, 3]

a
Out[132]: [1, 2, 3]

Apparently, some sort of automatic reformatting is achievable. Is there a way to customize this functionality?

I'm aware of PromptManager which can be used to customize the displayed prompt (e.g., http://nb.nathanamy.org/2012/09/terminal-productivity/). However, the IPython prompt (with numbers) is useful in interactive sessions. I only want the copied version to be reformatted.

Improve this question
3
  • 1
    Before you enter the code, you can toggle %doctest_mode on, which gives you the >>> prompts until you turn it off again. I think that's the closest thing we've got at present. Commented Feb 1, 2013 at 13:03
  • Thanks for mentioning this! %doctest_mode is indeed useful if one knows the code will be copied beforehand. Strangely, it seems not working with qtconsole... Commented Feb 1, 2013 at 15:14
  • That doesn't entirely surprise me - in the Qt console, prompts are generated by the frontend, while %doctest_mode acts in the kernel. You could look into adding a 'Copy with Python prompts' menu option. Commented Feb 1, 2013 at 17:24

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

You can set the iPython configuration and check ipython section of this article.

Here are the steps:

1.Create profile 

$ ipython profile create

2.Modify the following line into ~/.config/ipython/profile_default/ipython_config.py

c.PromptManager.in_template = '>>> '

After that, iPython shall work like you expected.

Improve this answer
Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

Thank you for your answer, Cody~ But as the question stated, I would like to keep the numbered prompt (which is informative) in the interactive ipython console, but only automatically substitute it with python default prompt when the content is copied (so when I paste the code in stackoverflow, it displays ">>> " rather than "In [235]: ":)
0

I don't know of any built-in way to do this, but maybe you could help yourself by defining your own %magic function.

Something like

Stick to the docs for how to define and register a custom magic and then try something like:

from IPython.core.magic import (register_line_magic, register_cell_magic,
                            register_line_cell_magic)

@register_line_magic
def export_prompt(start, end):
    "Exporting input and output within given limits"
    for i in range(start, end):
        in_ = In.get(i)
        out_ = Out.get(i)
        print in_
        print out_

# We delete this to avoid name conflicts for automagic to work
del export_prompt

I'll try this myself, let's see if it works.

EDIT Seems like it doesn't work immediately, you'll have to figure out how to access In and Out inside a custom magic. But I'll leave the answer for reference, maybe someone else can finish the sample.

Improve this answer

1 Comment

Thank you for pointing out this direction! I'll check the docs.

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.