A small Python 3 editor for learning and competitive programming.

Why expressPython?

I built expressPython to scratch an itch that I had. I wanted a tool that does following for me.

• Runs easily in windows, portable, doesn't affect system.
• I wanted a tool to test regexes, small scripts.
• Online IDEs cannot access my file system I need to access files If I wanted to.
• Online IDEs are sometimes slow at peak times or for non premium uses.
• You cannot access Online IDEs once you are in the underground train 🚄.
• It should start fast and I don't need to create files to test things
• Suitable to simulate HackerRank . (Has an input window and output window, works with stdin)
• I wanted to learn C++/Qt and polish Python knowledge.
• Compiled to 32bit will work on a 64bit machine.
• Type some text in to input section and process it using quick scripts.

Contributors

• Bhathiya Perera (JaDogg) - Maintainer and original author
• Mirza Zulfan (mirzazulfan) - Logo & Icon 😎

User Guide

Installation

This is fairly simple to use.

• Download a standalone version from the releases. (Currently only Windows binaries available)
• Scan the binary package for viruses if you want ✔.
• Extract it using 7-zip or a similar software and run expressPython.exe.

Editor

• Tabs are replaced by 4 spaces.
• Any \t (tab) character is highlighted in red.
• There are basic auto-complete features. Use: ctrl + space
• Content in the input can be read using input()
• You can write to output using print()
• This is not a full IDE and is not planning to be.

Known Limitations

• Using time.sleep() in your code will make it impossible to retrieve output.
• Lacks keyboard shortcuts.

Credits

Standing on the shoulders of the giants.

• Qt 5.9.x (Or newer is used)
• Python 3.7.x
• Jedi (latest) - https://github.com/davidhalter/jedi
• Frankie Simon's Python Syntax Highlight Code (Modified)
• Mateusz Loskot's Embedding Code (Modified)
• Train Icon from https://www.awicons.com
• All Other Icons from Open Icon Library

Compiling

This project uses QMake to build.

Dependencies

• Python 3.7.x (32bit)
• Qt 5.9.x (GPL Version, MinGW 32bit)

64Bit versions should also work. But it is not tested yet.

Easiest way to compile is to use QtCreator and to build the binary.

Environment Variables

• PYTHON37_LOCATION - On windows set this to parent of python.exe of a 32bit Python 3.7 installation.
• PYTHON37_LIB_LOCATION and PYTHON37_INC_LOCATION should be set to lib and include paths.

Editor API

You can safely ignore this section if you are not interested in customizing/developing.

Documentation

# IDE's API
# ---------------------------
from express_api import get_input, set_input
from express_api import get_output, set_output
from express_api import get_code, set_code
from express_api import write_output, get_apppath
from express_api import set_search_regex, interrupt_requested
#
# get method's have no parameters and others have one
#
# get_input   - get input textbox's text
# set_input   - set input textbox's text
# get_output  - get output textbox's text
# set_output  - get output textbox's text
# get_code    - get code textbox's text
# set_code    - set code textbox's text
# write_output- append to output box
# get_apppath - get exe path
# interrupt_requested - returns 1 if we need to stop running

# API Help/Code Sample
# ---------------------------

# get text from input box
# parameters - none
txt = get_input()

# change output box's text
# parameters - string
set_output("")

# append to output box
# does not add a new line
# parameters - string
write_output("Hi You,\n")

# get_apppath() -> get exe path
print("expressPython.exe is at :", get_apppath())

Customising launch script

If you want to customize how your code is executed.

• Copy ep_runner.py to _express_startup_.py near expressPython binary.
• Edit _express_startup_.py as you see fit.

Appendix

Learning Python

One of the reasons for creating this was to teach python. You can checkout my Python 3 tutorial series at http://pandabunnytech.com

Getting Started Guide : here

• Python 3 Tutorial for Beginners #01 – Getting Started
• Python 3 Tutorial for Beginners #02 – Arithmetic and Logical Operators
• Python 3 Tutorial for Beginners #03 – If Statement and Python 3 Script Syntax
• Python 3 Tutorial for Beginners #04 – Python 3 For Loop
• Python 3 Tutorial for Beginners #05 – Python 3 While Loop
• Python 3 Tutorial for Beginners #06 – Python 3 Sequence Basics
• Python 3 Tutorial for Beginners #07 – Python 3 Sequence Slicing
• Python 3 Tutorial for Beginners #08 – Python 3 Dictionary Basics
• Python 3 Tutorial for Beginners #09 – Python 3 Dictionary Usage