Python: Difference between revisions

From FreeCAD Documentation
((October 2019) FreeCAD was originally designed to work with Python 2. Since Python 2 reached end of life in 2020, future development of FreeCAD will be done exclusively with Python 3, and backwards compatibility will not be supported.)
(Assume we are already in 2020.)
Line 2: Line 2:
<translate>
<translate>
<!--T:25-->
<!--T:25-->
{{VeryImportantMessage|(October 2019) FreeCAD was originally designed to work with Python 2. Since Python 2 reached end of life in 2020, future development of FreeCAD will be done exclusively with Python 3, and backwards compatibility will not be supported.}}
{{VeryImportantMessage|(January 2020) FreeCAD was originally designed to work with Python 2. Since Python 2 reached end of life in 2020, future development of FreeCAD will be done exclusively with Python 3, and backwards compatibility will not be supported.}}


== Description == <!--T:26-->
== Description == <!--T:26-->

Revision as of 07:44, 21 September 2019

(January 2020) FreeCAD was originally designed to work with Python 2. Since Python 2 reached end of life in 2020, future development of FreeCAD will be done exclusively with Python 3, and backwards compatibility will not be supported.

Description

Python is a general purpose, high level programming language that is very commonly used in large applications to automate some tasks by creating scripts or macros.

In FreeCAD, Python code can be used to create various elements programmatically, without needing to click on the graphical user interface. Additionally, many tools and workbenches of FreeCAD are programmed in Python.

See Introduction to Python to learn about the Python programming language, and then Python scripting tutorial and FreeCAD Scripting Basics to start scripting in FreeCAD.

When writing Python code, it's advisable to follow PEP8: Style Guide for Python Code.

Conventions

In this documentation, some conventions for Python examples should be followed.

This is a typical function signature

Wire = makeWire(pointslist, closed=False, placement=None, face=None, support=None)
  • Arguments with key-value pairs are optional, with the default value indicated in the signature. This means that the following calls are equivalent:
Wire = makeWire(pointslist, False, None, None, None)
Wire = makeWire(pointslist, False, None, None)
Wire = makeWire(pointslist, False, None)
Wire = makeWire(pointslist, False)
Wire = makeWire(pointslist)
In this example the first argument doesn't have a default value so it should always be included.
  • When the arguments are given with the explicit key, the optional arguments can be given in any order. This means that the following calls are equivalent:
Wire = makeWire(pointslist, closed=False, placement=None, face=None)
Wire = makeWire(pointslist, closed=False, face=None, placement=None)
Wire = makeWire(pointslist, placement=None, closed=False, face=None)
Wire = makeWire(pointslist, support=None, closed=False, placement=None, face=None)
  • Python's guidelines stress readability of code; in particular, parentheses should immediately follow the function name, and a space should follow a comma.
p1 = Vector(0, 0, 0)
p2 = Vector(1, 1, 0)
p3 = Vector(2, 0, 0)
Wire = makeWire([p1, p2, p3], closed=True)
  • If code needs to be broken over several lines, this should be done at a comma inside brackets or parentheses; the second line should be aligned with the previous one.
a_list = [1, 2, 3,
          2, 4, 5]

Wire = makeWire(pointslist,
                False, None,
                None, None)
  • Functions may return an object that can be used as the base of another drawing function.
Wire = makeWire(pointslist, closed=True, face=True)
Window = makeWindow(Wire, name="Big window")

Imports

Python functions are stored in files called modules. Before using any function in that module, the module must be included in the document with the import instruction.

This creates prefixed functions, that is, module.function(). This system prevents name clashes with functions that are named the same but that come from different modules. For example, the two functions Arch.makeWindow() and myModule.makeWindow() may coexist without problem.

Full examples should include the necessary imports and the prefixed functions.

import FreeCAD, Draft

p1 = FreeCAD.Vector(0, 0, 0)
p2 = FreeCAD.Vector(1, 1, 0)
p3 = FreeCAD.Vector(2, 0, 0)
Wire = Draft.makeWire([p1, p2, p3], closed=True)
import FreeCAD, Draft, Arch

p1 = FreeCAD.Vector(0, 0, 0)
p2 = FreeCAD.Vector(1, 0, 0)
p3 = FreeCAD.Vector(1, 1, 0)
p4 = FreeCAD.Vector(0, 2, 0)
pointslist = [p1, p2, p3, p4]

Wire = Draft.makeWire(pointslist, closed=True, face=True)
Structure = Arch.makeStructure(Wire, name="Big pillar")