(A Semi-Official) Python FAQ Zone

This effbot zone, a sister site to the Python Tutorial Wiki, contains a copy of the standard Python FAQ. This site replaces the version hosted at infogami. This site is being used as an editing and staging area; “stable” versions will be published over at python.org at regular intervals, once all the tools are in place.

Note: We’re rebuilding. Sorry for the mess.

To contribute, you can:

Review an article, and add comments and suggestions if you find something that can or should be improved.

~~Show me a random article!~~
Suggest a new article.

I have an idea!

It’s perfectly okay to just read an article, of course.

There’s also an RSS feed available, which lists recently modified articles.

Overviews (17)

Category: cleanup [cleanup-index]
Category: comments [comments-index]
Category: cpython [cpython-index]
Category: database [database-index]
Category: design [design-index]
Category: extending [extending-index]
Category: garbage [garbage-index]
Category: general [general-index]
Category: gui [gui-index]
Category: history [history-index]
Category: installed [installed-index]
Category: library [library-index]
Category: old [old-index]
Category: programming [programming-index]
Category: tkinter [tkinter-index]
Category: tutor [tutor-index]
Category: windows [windows-index]

Articles (210)

A C D H I M P S T W

A

Are there any books on Python? [are-there-any-books-on-python]
Are there any interfaces to database packages in Python? [are-there-any-interfaces-to-database-packages-in-python]
Are there any published articles about Python that I can reference? [are-there-any-published-articles-about-python-that-i-can-reference]
Are there coding standards or a style guide for Python programs? [are-there-coding-standards-or-a-style-guide-for-python-programs]
Are there copyright restrictions on the use of Python? [are-there-copyright-restrictions-on-the-use-of-python]
Are there other FTP sites that mirror the Python distribution? [are-there-other-ftp-sites-that-mirror-the-python-distribution]

C

Can I create an object class with some methods implemented in C and others in Python (e.g. through inheritance)? [can-i-create-an-object-class-with-some-methods-implemented-in-c-and-others-in-python-e-g-through-inheritance]
Can I create my own functions in C? [can-i-create-my-own-functions-in-c]
Can I create my own functions in C++? [can-i-create-my-own-functions-in-cplusplus]
Can I have Tk events handled while waiting for I/O? [can-i-have-tk-events-handled-while-waiting-for-i-o]
Can Python be compiled to machine code, C or some other language? [can-python-be-compiled-to-machine-code-c-or-some-other-language]
Can't we get rid of the Global Interpreter Lock? [can-t-we-get-rid-of-the-global-interpreter-lock]
Can't you emulate threads in the interpreter instead of relying on an OS-specific thread implementation? [can-t-you-emulate-threads-in-the-interpreter-instead-of-relying-on-an-os-specific-thread-implementation]
cgi.py (or other CGI programming) doesn't work sometimes on NT or win95! [cgi-py-or-other-cgi-programming-doesn-t-work-sometimes-on-nt-or-win95]

D

Do I have to like "Monty Python's Flying Circus"? [do-i-have-to-like-monty-python-s-flying-circus]

H

Have any significant projects been done in Python? [have-any-significant-projects-been-done-in-python]
How are dictionaries implemented? [how-are-dictionaries-implemented]
How are lists implemented? [how-are-lists-implemented]
How can I create a stand-alone binary from a Python script? [how-can-i-create-a-stand-alone-binary-from-a-python-script]
How can I embed Python into a Windows application? [how-can-i-embed-python-into-a-windows-application]
How can I evaluate an arbitrary Python expression from C? [how-can-i-evaluate-an-arbitrary-python-expression-from-c]
How can I execute arbitrary Python statements from C? [how-can-i-execute-arbitrary-python-statements-from-c]
How can I find the methods or attributes of an object? [how-can-i-find-the-methods-or-attributes-of-an-object]
How can I get a dictionary to display its keys in a consistent order? [how-can-i-get-a-dictionary-to-display-its-keys-in-a-consistent-order]
How can I have modules that mutually import each other? [how-can-i-have-modules-that-mutually-import-each-other]
How can I mimic CGI form submission (METHOD=POST)? [how-can-i-mimic-cgi-form-submission-method-post]
How can I organize my code to make it easier to change the base class? [how-can-i-organize-my-code-to-make-it-easier-to-change-the-base-class]
How can I overload constructors (or methods) in Python? [how-can-i-overload-constructors-or-methods-in-python]
How can I pass optional or keyword parameters from one function to another? [how-can-i-pass-optional-or-keyword-parameters-from-one-function-to-another]
How can I sort one list by values from another list? [how-can-i-sort-one-list-by-values-from-another-list]
How can my code discover the name of an object? [how-can-my-code-discover-the-name-of-an-object]
How does Python manage memory? [how-does-python-manage-memory]
How does the Python version numbering scheme work? [how-does-the-python-version-numbering-scheme-work]
How do I access a module written in Python from C? [how-do-i-access-a-module-written-in-python-from-c]
How do I access the serial (RS232) port? [how-do-i-access-the-serial-rs232-port]
How do I apply a method to a sequence of objects? [how-do-i-apply-a-method-to-a-sequence-of-objects]
How do I avoid blocking in the connect() method of a socket? [how-do-i-avoid-blocking-in-the-connect-method-of-a-socket]
How do I call a method defined in a base class from a derived class that overrides it? [how-do-i-call-a-method-defined-in-a-base-class-from-a-derived-class-that-overrides-it]
How do I call an object's method from C? [how-do-i-call-an-object-s-method-from-c]
How do I catch the output from PyErr_Print() (or anything that prints to stdout/stderr)? [how-do-i-catch-the-output-from-pyerr-print-or-anything-that-prints-to-stdout-stderr]
How do I check for a keypress without blocking? [how-do-i-check-for-a-keypress-without-blocking]
How do I check if an object is an instance of a given class or of a subclass of it? [how-do-i-check-if-an-object-is-an-instance-of-a-given-class-or-of-a-subclass-of-it]
How do I convert a number to a string? [how-do-i-convert-a-number-to-a-string]
How do I convert a string to a number? [how-do-i-convert-a-string-to-a-number]
How do I convert between tuples and lists? [how-do-i-convert-between-tuples-and-lists]
How do I copy a file? [how-do-i-copy-a-file]
How do I copy a file on Windows? [how-do-i-copy-a-file-on-windows]
How do I copy an object in Python? [how-do-i-copy-an-object-in-python]
How do I create a multidimensional list? [how-do-i-create-a-multidimensional-list]
How do I create a .pyc file? [how-do-i-create-a-pyc-file]
How do I create documentation from doc strings? [how-do-i-create-documentation-from-doc-strings]
How do I create static class data and static class methods? [how-do-i-create-static-class-data-and-static-class-methods]
How do I debug an extension? [how-do-i-debug-an-extension]
How do I delete a file? (And other file questions...) [how-do-i-delete-a-file-and-other-file-questions]
How do I emulate os.kill() in Windows? [how-do-i-emulate-os-kill-in-windows]
How do I escape SQL values when using the DB-API? [how-do-i-escape-sql-values-when-using-the-db-api]
How do I extract C values from a Python object? [how-do-i-extract-c-values-from-a-python-object]
How do I extract the downloaded documentation on Windows? [how-do-i-extract-the-downloaded-documentation-on-windows]
How do I find a module or application to perform task X? [how-do-i-find-a-module-or-application-to-perform-task-x]
How do I find the current module name? [how-do-i-find-the-current-module-name]
How do I find undefined g++ symbols __builtin_new or __pure_virtual? [how-do-i-find-undefined-g-symbols-builtin-new-or-pure-virtual]
How do I freeze Tkinter applications? [how-do-i-freeze-tkinter-applications]
How do I generate random numbers in Python? [how-do-i-generate-random-numbers-in-python]
How do I get a beta test version of Python? [how-do-i-get-a-beta-test-version-of-python]
How do I get a list of all instances of a given class? [how-do-i-get-a-list-of-all-instances-of-a-given-class]
How do I get a single keypress at a time? [how-do-i-get-a-single-keypress-at-a-time]
How do I get documentation on Python? [how-do-i-get-documentation-on-python]
How do I interface to C++ objects from Python? [how-do-i-interface-to-c-objects-from-python]
How do I iterate over a sequence in reverse order? [how-do-i-iterate-over-a-sequence-in-reverse-order]
How do I keep editors from inserting tabs into my Python source? [how-do-i-keep-editors-from-inserting-tabs-into-my-python-source]
How do I make a Python script executable on Unix? [how-do-i-make-a-python-script-executable-on-unix]
How do I make python scripts executable? [how-do-i-make-python-scripts-executable]
How do I modify a string in place? [how-do-i-modify-a-string-in-place]
How do I obtain a copy of the Python source? [how-do-i-obtain-a-copy-of-the-python-source]
How do I parcel out work among a bunch of worker threads? [how-do-i-parcel-out-work-among-a-bunch-of-worker-threads]
How do I print to a Windows printer? [how-do-i-print-to-a-windows-printer]
How do I program using threads? [how-do-i-program-using-threads]
How do I read (or write) binary data? [how-do-i-read-or-write-binary-data]
How do I run a Python program under Windows? [how-do-i-run-a-python-program-under-windows]
How do I run a subprocess with pipes connected to both input and output? [how-do-i-run-a-subprocess-with-pipes-connected-to-both-input-and-output]
How do I send mail from a Python script? [how-do-i-send-mail-from-a-python-script]
How do I share global variables across modules? [how-do-i-share-global-variables-across-modules]
How do I specify hexadecimal and octal integers? [how-do-i-specify-hexadecimal-and-octal-integers]
How do I submit bug reports and patches for Python? [how-do-i-submit-bug-reports-and-patches-for-python]
How do I tell "incomplete input" from "invalid input"? [how-do-i-tell-incomplete-input-from-invalid-input]
How do I test a Python program or component? [how-do-i-test-a-python-program-or-component]
How do I use Py_BuildValue() to create a tuple of arbitrary length? [how-do-i-use-py-buildvalue-to-create-a-tuple-of-arbitrary-length]
How do I use Python for CGI? [how-do-i-use-python-for-cgi]
How do I use strings to call functions/methods? [how-do-i-use-strings-to-call-functions-methods]
How do I watch a directory for changes on Windows? [how-do-i-watch-a-directory-for-changes-on-windows]
How do I write a function with output parameters (call by reference)? [how-do-i-write-a-function-with-output-parameters-call-by-reference]
How do you implement persistent objects in Python? [how-do-you-implement-persistent-objects-in-python]
How do you make a higher order function in Python? [how-do-you-make-a-higher-order-function-in-python]
How do you make an array in Python? [how-do-you-make-an-array-in-python]
How do you remove duplicates from a list? [how-do-you-remove-duplicates-from-a-list]
How do you set a global variable in a function? [how-do-you-set-a-global-variable-in-a-function]
How do you specify and enforce an interface spec in Python? [how-do-you-specify-and-enforce-an-interface-spec-in-python]
How fast are exceptions? [how-fast-are-exceptions]
How many people are using Python? [how-many-people-are-using-python]
How stable is Python? [how-stable-is-python]

I

I added a module using the Setup file and the make fails; why? [i-added-a-module-using-the-setup-file-and-the-make-fails-why]
I can't get key bindings to work in Tkinter: why? [i-can-t-get-key-bindings-to-work-in-tkinter-why]
I can't seem to use os.read() on a pipe created with os.popen(); why? [i-can-t-seem-to-use-os-read-on-a-pipe-created-with-os-popen-why]
If my program crashes with a bsddb (or anydbm) database open, it gets corrupted. How come? [if-my-program-crashes-with-a-bsddb-or-anydbm-database-open-it-gets-corrupted-how-come]
Importing Tkinter fails on Windows 95/98: why? [importing-tkinter-fails-on-windows-95-98-why]
__import__('x.y.z') returns module 'x'; how do I get z? [import-x-y-z-returns-module-x-how-do-i-get-z]
Can I delete Python? [installed-can-i-delete-python]
What is Python? [installed-what-is-python]
Why is Python installed on my machine? [installed-why-is-python-installed-on-my-machine]
Is a PYD file the same as a DLL? [is-a-pyd-file-the-same-as-a-dll]
Is it possible to write obfuscated one-liners in Python? [is-it-possible-to-write-obfuscated-one-liners-in-python]
Is it reasonable to propose incompatible changes to Python? [is-it-reasonable-to-propose-incompatible-changes-to-python]
Is Python a good language for beginning programmers? [is-python-a-good-language-for-beginning-programmers]
Is Python Y2K (Year 2000) Compliant? [is-python-y2k-year-2000-compliant]
Is there a curses/termcap package for Python? [is-there-a-curses-termcap-package-for-python]
Is there an equivalent of C's "?:" ternary operator? [is-there-an-equivalent-of-c-s-ternary-operator]
Is there an equivalent to C's onexit() in Python? [is-there-an-equivalent-to-c-s-onexit-in-python]
Is there an equivalent to Perl's chomp() for removing trailing newlines from strings? [is-there-an-equivalent-to-perl-s-chomp-for-removing-trailing-newlines-from-strings]
Is there a newsgroup or mailing list devoted to Python? [is-there-a-newsgroup-or-mailing-list-devoted-to-python]
Is there a scanf() or sscanf() equivalent? [is-there-a-scanf-or-sscanf-equivalent]
Is there a source code level debugger with breakpoints, single-stepping, etc.? [is-there-a-source-code-level-debugger-with-breakpoints-single-stepping-etc]
Is there a tool to help find bugs or perform static analysis? [is-there-a-tool-to-help-find-bugs-or-perform-static-analysis]
I tried to open Berkeley DB file, but bsddb produces bsddb.error: (22, 'Invalid argument'). Help! How can I restore my data? [i-tried-to-open-berkeley-db-file-but-bsddb-produces-bsddb-error-22-invalid-argument-help-how-can-i-restore-my-data]
I try to use __spam and I get an error about _ClassName__spam. [i-try-to-use-spam-and-i-get-an-error-about-someclassname-spam]
I've never programmed before. Is there a Python tutorial? [i-ve-never-programmed-before-is-there-a-python-tutorial]
I want to compile a Python module on my Linux system, but some files are missing. Why? [i-want-to-compile-a-python-module-on-my-linux-system-but-some-files-are-missing-why]
I want to do a complicated sort: can you do a Schwartzian Transform in Python? [i-want-to-do-a-complicated-sort-can-you-do-a-schwartzian-transform-in-python]

M

Missing cw3215mt.dll (or missing cw3215.dll) [missing-cw3215mt-dll-or-missing-cw3215-dll]
My class defines __del__ but it is not called when I delete the object. [my-class-defines-del-but-it-is-not-called-when-i-delete-the-object]
My program is too slow. How do I speed it up? [my-program-is-too-slow-how-do-i-speed-it-up]

P

PyRun_SimpleFile() crashes on Windows but not on Unix; why? [pyrun-simplefile-crashes-on-windows-but-not-on-unix-why]

S

Suggestions [suggest]
Tutor FAQ Suggestions [suggest-tutor]

T

How do I get data out of HTML? [tutor-how-do-i-get-data-out-of-html]
How do I make an executable out of my Python program? [tutor-how-do-i-make-an-executable-out-of-my-python-program]
How do I make public and private attributes and methods in my classes? [tutor-how-do-i-make-public-and-private-attributes-and-methods-in-my-classes]
How do I perform matrix operations using Python? [tutor-how-do-i-perform-matrix-operations-using-python]
I'm learning Python. What should I program? [tutor-im-learning-python-what-should-i-program]
I need help; I'm getting an error in my program. What should I do? [tutor-i-need-help-im-getting-an-error-in-my-program-what-should-i-do]
What are some good books on Python? [tutor-what-are-some-good-books-on-python]
What is 'if __name__ == "__main__"' for? [tutor-what-is-if-name-main-for]
What is Python Tutor? [tutor-what-is-python-tutor]
What is the policy on homework? [tutor-what-is-the-policy-on-homework]
What's the best editor/IDE for Python? [tutor-whats-the-best-editor-ide-for-python]
What's the difference between "import foo" and "from foo import *"? [tutor-whats-the-difference-between-import-foo-and-from-foo-import]
Why doesn't my regular expression work? [tutor-why-doesnt-my-regular-expression-work]
Why do my replies go to the person who sent the message and not to the list? [tutor-why-do-my-replies-go-to-the-person-who-sent-the-message-and-not-to-the-list]

W

Warning about CTL3D32 version from installer [warning-about-ctl3d32-version-from-installer]
What are the "best practices" for using import in a module? [what-are-the-best-practices-for-using-import-in-a-module]
What are the rules for local and global variables in Python? [what-are-the-rules-for-local-and-global-variables-in-python]
What does "SystemError: _PyImport_FixupExtension: module yourmodule not loaded" mean? [what-does-systemerror-pyimport-fixupextension-module-yourmodule-not-loaded-mean]
What does 'UnicodeError: ASCII decoding error: ordinal not in range(128)' and 'UnicodeError: ASCII encoding error: ordinal not in range(128)' mean? [what-does-unicodeerror-ascii-decoding-encoding-error-ordinal-not-in-range-128-mean]
What is a class? [what-is-a-class]
What is a generator? [what-is-a-generator]
What is a method? [what-is-a-method]
What is an iterator? [what-is-an-iterator]
What is a sequence? [what-is-a-sequence]
What is delegation? [what-is-delegation]
What is __init__.py used for? [what-is-init-py-used-for]
What is Python? [what-is-python]
What is Python good for? [what-is-python-good-for]
What is self? [what-is-self]
What is the Global Interpreter Lock? [what-is-the-global-interpreter-lock]
What is the Python Software Foundation? [what-is-the-python-software-foundation]
What is this bsddb185 module my application keeps complaining about? [what-is-this-bsddb185-module-my-application-keeps-complaining-about]
What kinds of global value mutation are thread-safe? [what-kinds-of-global-value-mutation-are-thread-safe]
What module should I use to help with generating HTML? [what-module-should-i-use-to-help-with-generating-html]
What new developments are expected for Python in the future? [what-new-developments-are-expected-for-python-in-the-future]
What platform-independent GUI toolkits exist for Python? [what-platform-independent-gui-toolkits-exist-for-python]
What platform-specific GUI toolkits exist for Python? [what-platform-specific-gui-toolkits-exist-for-python]
What WWW tools are there for Python? [what-www-tools-are-there-for-python]
When I edit an imported module and reimport it, the changes don't show up. Why does this happen? [when-i-edit-an-imported-module-and-reimport-it-the-changes-don-t-show-up-why-does-this-happen]
When importing module X, why do I get "undefined symbol: PyUnicodeUCS2*"? [when-importing-module-x-why-do-i-get-undefined-symbol-pyunicodeucs2]
Where do I start if I want to learn about the CPython implementation? [where-do-i-start-if-i-want-to-learn-about-the-cpython-implementation]
Where do nested functions live? [where-do-nested-functions-live]
Where in the world is www.python.org located? [where-in-the-world-is-www-python-org-located]
Where is Freeze for Windows? [where-is-freeze-for-windows]
Where is the math.py (socket.py, regex.py, etc.) source file? [where-is-the-math-py-socket-py-regex-py-etc-source-file]
Why am I getting strange results with simple arithmetic operations? [why-am-i-getting-strange-results-with-simple-arithmetic-operations]
Why are colons required for the if/while/def/class statements? [why-are-colons-required-for-the-if-while-def-class-statements]
Why are default values shared between objects? [why-are-default-values-shared-between-objects]
Why are floating point calculations so inaccurate? [why-are-floating-point-calculations-so-inaccurate]
Why are Python strings immutable? [why-are-python-strings-immutable]
Why are there separate tuple and list data types? [why-are-there-separate-tuple-and-list-data-types]
Why can't I use an assignment in an expression? [why-can-t-i-use-an-assignment-in-an-expression]
Why can't lambda forms contain statements? [why-can-t-lambda-forms-contain-statements]
Why can't raw strings (r-strings) end with a backslash? [why-can-t-raw-strings-r-strings-end-with-a-backslash]
Why does -22 / 10 return -3? [why-does-22-10-return-3]
Why does my C extension suddenly crash under 2.5? [why-does-my-c-extension-suddenly-crash-under-2.5]
Why doesn't closing sys.stdout (stdin, stderr) really close it? [why-doesn-t-closing-sys-stdout-stdin-stderr-really-close-it]
Why doesn't list.sort() return the sorted list? [why-doesn-t-list-sort-return-the-sorted-list]
Why doesn't os.popen() and win32pipe.popen() work on Win9x? [why-doesn-t-os-popen-win32pipe-popen-work-on-win9x]
Why doesn't os.popen() work in PythonWin on NT? [why-doesn-t-os-popen-work-in-pythonwin-on-nt]
Why doesn't Python have a "with" statement like some other languages? [why-doesn-t-python-have-a-with-statement-like-some-other-languages]
Why doesn't Python release the memory when I delete a large object? [why-doesnt-python-release-the-memory-when-i-delete-a-large-object]
Why does Python sometimes take so long to start? [why-does-python-sometimes-take-so-long-to-start]
Why does Python use indentation for grouping of statements? [why-does-python-use-indentation-for-grouping-of-statements]
Why does Python use methods for some functionality (e.g. list.index()) but functions for other (e.g. len(list))? [why-does-python-use-methods-for-some-functionality-e-g-list-index-but-functions-for-other-e-g-len-list]
Why do my Tkinter images not appear? [why-do-my-tkinter-images-not-appear]
Why don't my signal handlers work? [why-don-t-my-signal-handlers-work]
Why is cPickle so slow? [why-is-cpickle-so-slow]
Why is it called Python? [why-is-it-called-python]
Why is join() a string method instead of a list or tuple method? [why-is-join-a-string-method-instead-of-a-list-or-tuple-method]
Why isn't all memory freed when Python exits? [why-isn-t-all-memory-freed-when-python-exits]
Why isn't there a switch or case statement in Python? [why-isn-t-there-a-switch-or-case-statement-in-python]
Why is there no goto? [why-is-there-no-goto]
Why must dictionary keys be immutable? [why-must-dictionary-keys-be-immutable]
Why must 'self' be used explicitly in method definitions and calls? [why-must-self-be-used-explicitly-in-method-definitions-and-calls]
Why was Python created in the first place? [why-was-python-created-in-the-first-place]
Writing C is hard; are there any alternatives? [writing-c-is-hard-are-there-any-alternatives]