How To Exit Python In Terminal

Via the use of a terminal, you can very easily control a computer or a program in a way that any normal user interface would not normally allow!

The Python coding language makes use of commands, variables, strings, and other things to operate within a terminal, and as such many users of Python find themselves encountering trouble when it comes to interacting with this terminal.

For instance, many users have reported having trouble ending their sessions with the Python interpreter terminal and exiting out of the terminal entirely.

You’re probably reading this now because you’ve encountered this problem yourself. If so, don’t worry, because we are here to show you exactly how to do it in a safe manner! Read on below to get started.

How Do You Exit Python In Terminal?

You may have previously tried to exit the Python terminal by entering an “Exit” command, but found that you were met with a message that read “Use exit() or Ctrl-Z plus Return to Exit”.

Luckily, this does not mean that you have encountered a major error, as it just means that you have to type in a slightly different command. 

In order to exit the Python terminal, you will need to instead type the “exit()” command. This will cause the Python interpreter terminal to close down safely with all of the data intact. 

There is also an optional command that you can utilize that differs slightly depending on whether you are using Windows, macOS, or Linux. If you are using Windows, then you should make sure to hold down the “Ctrl” and “Z” keys, and then press the “Enter” key. 

If you are using Linux or macOS, then you will need to hold down the “Ctrl” and “D” keys. On both of these operating systems, there is no need to press “Enter” after entering the command, as it will kick into action instantly. 

Why Can You Not Exit Python By Typing “Exit”?

Now that you know how to exit the Python terminal, you may be finding yourself wondering why you cannot simply exit the terminal by typing “Exit”.

This is generally because within the Python coding language “()” refers to a function that can be pulled off by the program.

Without the “()” added to the end of the ext command, “Exit” could simply be interpreted by Python to be a variable within a data set or another type of object. 

Why Does Python Use A Terminal?

A terminal allows the user of the operating system to directly interact with the functions of the system without having to click around a visual interface with a tool such as a mouse.

An interface is used entirely by typing commands into it, which yields specific and useful results.

Thus, the Python coding language largely depends on the use of a terminal as an interface into which the user can type their commands and enter their code. 

Without the terminal, it would be impossible to use Python, thanks to the fact that it depends on the coding language, due to having no visual interface that can be navigated with a mouse. 

What Is The Terminal?

The terminal, in regards to the Python coding language, refers to the interface that you use to type out commands for the Python program to initiate.

You interact with Python via text, using the Python language, rather than clicking between menu options as you usually would on a more user-friendly operating system such as Windows.

Using a terminal is great because it can offer unparalleled control, but it takes considerable skill to learn to use any terminal correctly. 

How Do You Start Python In The Terminal?

If you are using your computer’s basic terminal interface, you can very easily initiate Python by opening a command line on the terminal and typing in “Python”.

You may need to type a different variation of this command depending on which version of Python you have installed, such as “Python3”. From there, simply hit enter, and Python should boot up. 

Is The Python Terminal A Shell?

Yes. A “Shell” is basically a fancy word used to refer to a program that allows you to gain direct access to an operating system’s function. Effectively, a shell is functionally similar to a terminal.

Thus the Python terminal can very much be termed a shell.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Open Terminal On My Computer?

Opening the terminal on your computer is luckily quite simple. Hold down the “Ctrl”, “Shift”, and “P” keys simultaneously, and this will cause the terminal window to open up.

If you are on a macOS device, then you can also find the terminal by heading to the launchpad, which is represented by a rocket-shaped icon and then accessing the terminal from there.

How Do I Use Terminal In Windows 10?

If your computer is running via the Windows 10 operating system, then you can open up the terminal by heading to the search box in the taskbar, and typing in “Terminal”. This will bring up the option to open up the Windows terminal. 

Is Command Prompt Same As Terminal? 

No. A command prompt is something that you would end up typing into your terminal in order to make something happen. The terminal is often referred to as a shell and is the interface in which commands and other objects are typed out.

To Conclude

As you have hopefully now seen, exiting out of the Python interface is quite simple, and just requires the use of either a simple “exit ()” command, or a combination of button presses, depending on whether you are using Windows or another type of operating system. 

Unfortunately, outside of those basic commands, Python does not make it easy to exit out, as the program is designed to be interacted with via your keyboard rather than with a mouse and clicking on buttons on the computer’s visual interface. 

Luckily, what commands you do need to enter into the Python terminal are very simple, and won’t cause you too much trouble to type out.