python -i

I used to write modules and copy and paste them into the python interactive shell to play around with them, see how they work see how I can use them, etc.

I recently discovered this option to python:

-i : inspect interactively after running script, (also PYTHONINSPECT=x)
and force prompts, even if stdin does not appear to be a terminal


this loads a module and then gives you the shell to play around.

I still do paste into the python shell to check for whitepsace, it is VERY non forgiving and I have caught bugs because of this pickyess.