How to Run a Python Script

Python is a favorite among programmers for public web data extraction, but it might seem daunting if you're new to coding. Whether you're automating tasks for Python web scraping or analyzing data, the following tutorial presents three common options for running your first Python script.

Python has excellent documentation and a supportive community – look things up as you learn.

What is Python script?

A Python script is a text file containing code that can be executed to perform specific tasks. It's a set of instructions written in the Python programming language that tells a computer what to do.

To run a Python script, you need to have Python installed on your computer. You can execute it through:

• Command line interface

• Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

• Interactive mode

Python scripts typically have the file extension .py.

Methods and examples of how to run a Python script

For Python script samples, you’ll see Oxylabs proxies using the requests library and the runpy module.

Interactive mode

Begin with creating a new Python file. Use any text editor and enter the following Python script:

#!pip install requests
import requests

username = "your_username"
password = "your_password"

proxy_host = "pr.oxylabs.io"
proxy_port = "7777"

proxies = {
   "http": f"http://customer-{username}:{password}@{proxy_host}:{proxy_port}",
   "https": f"https://customer-{username}:{password}@{proxy_host}:{proxy_port}",
}

response = requests.get("https://ip.oxylabs.io", proxies=proxies)

if response.ok:
   print(response.text)
else:
   print("Error:", response.status_code)

The Python script uses Residential Proxies. Let's save the file as residential.py.

Open your command prompt or terminal and start Python in the interactive mode with the shell prompt:

MacOS and Linux:

$ python3
>>>_

Windows:

C:\> python
>>>_

In this mode, you can run one-liner commands:

>>> print(“Hello, World”)
Hello, World

One way to run Python scripts is to paste each line one by one:

>>> import requests
>>> username = "your_username"
>>> proxy_host = "pr.oxylabs.io"

Alternatively, copy all the code, paste it into the interactive shell, and press Enter to run. The result will be the IP provided by Residential Proxies:

123.12.13.141

If you prefer to run the entire file, you can use the runpy module. It’s part of the standard Python library included with your Python installation.

This module exposes run_path as a function that can take your file name and run it:

>>> import runpy
>>> runpy.run_path(‘residential.py’)
122.32.53.41

You may see a few examples of the exec() function, but it’s error-prone. Therefore, it’s recommended that you use runpy instead:

>>> exec(open(residential.py').read()) 

Finally, to exit the interactive shell, press Ctrl+Z on Windows or Ctrl+D on macOS/Linux. Also, typing in exit() and pressing Enter achieves the same.

Interactive mode is great for checking the results of a single line of code, but it’s not ideal for entire code files, and there is a better way.

Command line or terminal

Create a new file using any text editor and enter the following Python script:

#!pip install requests
import requests

username = "your_username"
password = "your_password"

proxy_host = "ddc.oxylabs.io"
proxy_port = "8001"

proxies = {
   "http": f"http://user-{username}:{password}@{proxy_host}:{proxy_port}",
   "https": f"https://user-{username}:{password}@{proxy_host}:{proxy_port}",
}

response = requests.get("https://ip.oxylabs.io", proxies=proxies)

if response.ok:
   print(response.text)
else:
   print("Error:", response.status_code)

The Python script uses Datacenter Proxies. Let's save the file as datacenter.py.

Open your command prompt or terminal. This time, supply your file name as an argument with the Python command:

$ python3 datacenter.py

You have a new Datacenter Proxies IP:

22.3.153.41

You can take this to the next level by setting a scheduled task or a cron job. The script will run according to the schedule you define. This is the easiest way to run Python scripts repetitively.

Text editor

Typically, you would use a code editor when writing any Python script. One of the most popular Python code editors is Visual Studio Code.

After installing, launch it and set up the development process.

Go to View > Extensions and search for Python in the window that opens. Then, install the Python extension, which simplifies coding.

Create a Python virtual environment. Otherwise, no .py file will be recognized.

Open a folder and click File > New File to create a new file. It will ask for a file name. Let’s use isp.py.

The Python script uses ISP Proxies. Enter the following and save the file:

#!pip install requests
import requests

username = "your_username"
password = "your_password"
  
proxy_host = "isp.oxylabs.io"
proxy_port = "8001"

proxies = {
   "http": f"http://user-{username}:{password}@{proxy_host}:{proxy_port}",
   "https": f"https://user-{username}:{password}@{proxy_host}:{proxy_port}",
}

response = requests.get("https://ip.oxylabs.io", proxies=proxies)

if response.ok:
   print(response.text)
else:
   print("Error:", response.status_code)

To run this file, click Run > Run without debugging. Alternatively, click the Play button on the top right.

You will see the results immediately. This approach is great when you’re still developing the code and may need debugging capabilities.