Python Script macros: Apparently I am too stupid ...

Matt Isaacson

… to get the most rudimentary Python Script macro to run. I’m trying to follow the basic examples in the Introduction chapter of PythonScript.chm, which is installed with Notepad++ - in this case, app version 6.8.8, but the results are the same as I had with an earlier version a year or two ago when I tried the same thing: namely, nothing whatsoever happens.

I have to assume that there’s some very basic detail that I haven’t picked up on - one that’s so basic, that the documentation writer(s) found it too obvious to be worth mentioning.

Here are the steps I tried:

Installed PythonScript.

Plugins -> Python Script -> New Script

Entered a file name ("LetsTryAgain") and clicked Save

In the editor pane for the new file, entered text copied directly from the documentation:

editor.replace("old", "new")

Saved the modified file

Plugins -> Python Script -> Scripts -> LetsTryAgain

At this point I’d expect the macro to run - if it did, it was with no effect.
I then replaced the content of LetsTryAgain.py with the following:

text = "abc"
editor.addText(text)

and again tried

Plugins -> Python Script -> Scripts -> LetsTryAgain

again with no visible effect.

Then I tried going into

Plugins -> Python Script -> Configuration

and adding LetsTryAgain.py to the Menu. I then tried going into

Plugins -> Python Script -> LetsTryAgain

since it now appears in the Python Script menu. This time it had an effect: the Python Script Configuration dialog opened.

WTF??!? This can’t really be that hard. What am I missing here? Does anyone out there have the patience to help a seeming imbecile get to square one?

Claudia Frank

Hello Matt-Isaacson,

I don’t see any obvious error but could you do me a favour and open the python console?
Plugins->Python Script->Show Console.
Which version is displayed?
If you run the script again, does something appear in the console?

Cheers
Claudia

Matt Isaacson

Hi Claudia,

I don’t see a version display when I open the console, and when I run the macro, nothing appears in the console. If I type “LetsTryAgain” into the field at the bottom of the console and click “Run”:

">>> LetsTryAgain"

appears in the console (without the quotes), but that’s all.

I didn’t mention earlier that I have no Python knowledge whatsoever - but I don’t think that’s the problem here. Maybe you can walk me through a basic macro exercise that’s working on your system?

Claudia Frank

Hello Matt,

you already have a working example

editor.replace("old", "new")

when running the script while having the script still open in editor,
it would replace the old by new, so results in

editor.replace("new", "new").

That you don’t see a version number makes me believe that something failed during python script installation.
Normally you see a message like

Python 2.7.8 (default, Jun 30 2014, 16:03:49) [MSC v.1500 32 bit (Intel)]
Initialisation took 967ms
Ready.

Did you install the plugin by using the plugin manager or by using the .msi package from the website? Maybe give the msi a try?

Don’t you get an error message when starting notepad++?

Cheers
Claudia

Matt Isaacson

Hi Claudia,

Thanks!! You nailed it. I installed Python Script again, from the .msi package this time instead of via the plugin manager, and now my bonehead example script works as expected, and there is a sign-on message in the console.

How exciting!

In answer to your other question: no, previously I wasn’t getting any error messages upon notepad++ startup. That would have been nice, of course. So is there a bug to be reported here, and if so, to whom should it be reported? Is it a plugin bug or a notepad++ bug, or both?

Anyway, stay tuned, I’m sure I’ll have some Python Script newbie questions soon!

Matt

Claudia Frank

Hi Matt

In answer to your other question: no, previously I wasn’t getting any error messages upon notepad++ startup. That would have been nice, of course. So is there a bug to be reported here, and if so, to whom should it be reported? Is it a plugin bug or a notepad++ bug, or both?

That’s a good question, I assume it is the plugin manager and has to do with permissions when npp was installed instead of unpacked but didn’t tested it really.

Anyway, stay tuned, I’m sure I’ll have some Python Script newbie questions soon!

;-)

Cheers
Claudia