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Diffstat (limited to 'Doc/library/idle.rst')
| -rw-r--r-- | Doc/library/idle.rst | 47 |
1 files changed, 25 insertions, 22 deletions
diff --git a/Doc/library/idle.rst b/Doc/library/idle.rst index 43096b0..a59a5d3 100644 --- a/Doc/library/idle.rst +++ b/Doc/library/idle.rst @@ -527,30 +527,33 @@ by typing '_' after '.', either before or after the box is opened. Calltips ^^^^^^^^ -A calltip is shown when one types :kbd:`(` after the name of an *accessible* -function. A name expression may include dots and subscripts. A calltip -remains until it is clicked, the cursor is moved out of the argument area, -or :kbd:`)` is typed. When the cursor is in the argument part of a definition, -the menu or shortcut display a calltip. - -A calltip consists of the function signature and the first line of the -docstring. For builtins without an accessible signature, the calltip -consists of all lines up the fifth line or the first blank line. These -details may change. - -The set of *accessible* functions depends on what modules have been imported -into the user process, including those imported by Idle itself, -and what definitions have been run, all since the last restart. +A calltip is shown automatically when one types :kbd:`(` after the name +of an *accessible* function. A function name expression may include +dots and subscripts. A calltip remains until it is clicked, the cursor +is moved out of the argument area, or :kbd:`)` is typed. Whenever the +cursor is in the argument part of a definition, select Edit and "Show +Call Tip" on the menu or enter its shortcut to display a calltip. + +The calltip consists of the function's signature and docstring up to +the latter's first blank line or the fifth non-blank line. (Some builtin +functions lack an accessible signature.) A '/' or '*' in the signature +indicates that the preceding or following arguments are passed by +position or name (keyword) only. Details are subject to change. + +In Shell, the accessible functions depends on what modules have been +imported into the user process, including those imported by Idle itself, +and which definitions have been run, all since the last restart. For example, restart the Shell and enter ``itertools.count(``. A calltip -appears because Idle imports itertools into the user process for its own use. -(This could change.) Enter ``turtle.write(`` and nothing appears. Idle does -not import turtle. The menu or shortcut do nothing either. Enter -``import turtle`` and then ``turtle.write(`` will work. - -In an editor, import statements have no effect until one runs the file. One -might want to run a file after writing the import statements at the top, -or immediately run an existing file before editing. +appears because Idle imports itertools into the user process for its own +use. (This could change.) Enter ``turtle.write(`` and nothing appears. +Idle does not itself import turtle. The menu entry and shortcut also do +nothing. Enter ``import turtle``. Thereafter, ``turtle.write(`` +will display a calltip. + +In an editor, import statements have no effect until one runs the file. +One might want to run a file after writing import statements, after +adding function definitions, or after opening an existing file. .. _code-context: |