[IPython-user] pylab threading mode for embedded IPython

[Fernando Perez]

Yaroslav Bulatov wrote:
> When I run IPython with -pylab option it works fine. But if I try the
> same with embedded IPython it'll wait until I close the plot window,
> am I doing something wrong?
> 
> from pylab import *
> from IPython.Shell import IPShellEmbed
> plot([1,2,3])
> IPShellEmbed(['-pylab'])()
> 
> In [1]: show()

Yes, unfortunately the threading/pylab features are not supported by the 
embedded ipython, only by the free-standing one.  Note, however, that _if you 
use a Tk-based backend_, you can use embedded ipython with matplotlib 
interactively.  The trick is to manually call ion() yourself to mimic 
interactive mode, the following example shows how:

#!/usr/bin/env python
from pylab import *

from IPython.Shell import IPShellEmbed

ipshell = IPShellEmbed()

ipshell.IP.runlines('from pylab import ion; ion()')

plot([1,2,3])

ipshell()

# end file

I realize that this is a hack, and it's limited to Tkinter-based backends. 
However, I'm afraid that clean support for this will probably have to wait 
until the entire hierarchy of shell classes in ipython gets a cleanup and full 
reorganization in the chainsaw development branch.

Cheers,

f