Launching/Debugging Python scripts

Regular Launch

The easiest way of launching a python file from PyDev is opening an editor and using the F9 keybinding. Through that command, PyDev will create/reuse a launch config to run the current editor based on the current settings of the project (i.e.: if the project is configured as IronPython, it'll use an IronPython interpreter).

Another option would be running using the context menu, where you can choose how you want to make the run (in that way, you could run a python project with a jython interpreter)

Unit Test Launch

If you use unit-tests, and want to run only a single unit-test or a few unit-tests of a module, you can use the Ctrl+F9 keybinding, which will open a tree where you can choose which test(s) you want to run:

In that dialog, there are some options:

Extending the filter and pressing 'Enter' will run the filtered tests
Explicitly selecting the class/tests to run will run those tests

Debug Launch

To run in debug mode, you can use the context menu, where you can choose how you want to make the debug (note that in that way, you could debug a python project with a jython interpreter)

Another option would be running the last launch in debug mode. See: `Rerun Last Launch (regular or debug mode)`_

Rerun Last Launch (regular or debug mode)

If you use the F9 and Ctrl+F9 keybindings or launch through the context menu, usually you'll also want to check the default eclipse preferences so that Ctrl+F11 and F11 will run your last configuration (otherwise, they'll bring a dialog to run/debug your current editor, which is mostly what's already given by PyDev through F9 and Ctrl+F9).

To do that, open the eclipse preferences (window > preferences) and check "Always launch previously launched application", that way, when you use F11, your last launch will be repeated in debug mode and with Ctrl+F11, it'll be relaunched in the regular mode.

Another option would be running the last launch from the menu. You can go to the menu with keybindings (Alt+R, then 'T' regular run or 'H' for debug run) and choose some existing launch to be run.

Debugging

Currently the debugger supports:

Step in: F5
Step over: F6
Step return: F7
Continue: F8
Breakpoints (with optional condition)
Stack view showing multiple threads
Locals and Globals variable display
Expressions display
Temporary display for selection: Ctrl+Shift+D
Hover showing the selected expression evaluation

To add breakpoints, you can double click the left bar or use Ctrl+F10 > Add breakpoint. In a line with an existing breakpoint Ctrl+F10 will be able to remove the breakpoint, disable it and edit its properties (which can be used to provide conditions for the breakpoint to be hit). Double-clicking an existing breakpoint will remove it.

When you hit a breakpoint, you'll get a view that allows you to inspect the stack, see locals and globals, hover over variables (or select a text to be evaluated) and add expressions.