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diff --git a/documentation/dev-manual/python-development-shell.rst b/documentation/dev-manual/python-development-shell.rst new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..81a5c43472 --- /dev/null +++ b/documentation/dev-manual/python-development-shell.rst @@ -0,0 +1,50 @@ +.. SPDX-License-Identifier: CC-BY-SA-2.0-UK + +Using a Python Development Shell +******************************** + +Similar to working within a development shell as described in the +previous section, you can also spawn and work within an interactive +Python development shell. When debugging certain commands or even when +just editing packages, ``pydevshell`` can be a useful tool. When you +invoke the ``pydevshell`` task, all tasks up to and including +:ref:`ref-tasks-patch` are run for the +specified target. Then a new terminal is opened. Additionally, key +Python objects and code are available in the same way they are to +BitBake tasks, in particular, the data store 'd'. So, commands such as +the following are useful when exploring the data store and running +functions:: + + pydevshell> d.getVar("STAGING_DIR") + '/media/build1/poky/build/tmp/sysroots' + pydevshell> d.getVar("STAGING_DIR", False) + '${TMPDIR}/sysroots' + pydevshell> d.setVar("FOO", "bar") + pydevshell> d.getVar("FOO") + 'bar' + pydevshell> d.delVar("FOO") + pydevshell> d.getVar("FOO") + pydevshell> bb.build.exec_func("do_unpack", d) + pydevshell> + +See the ":ref:`bitbake-user-manual/bitbake-user-manual-metadata:functions you can call from within python`" +section in the BitBake User Manual for details about available functions. + +The commands execute just as if the OpenEmbedded build +system were executing them. Consequently, working this way can be +helpful when debugging a build or preparing software to be used with the +OpenEmbedded build system. + +Here is an example that uses ``pydevshell`` on a target named +``matchbox-desktop``:: + + $ bitbake matchbox-desktop -c pydevshell + +This command spawns a terminal and places you in an interactive Python +interpreter within the OpenEmbedded build environment. The +:term:`OE_TERMINAL` variable +controls what type of shell is opened. + +When you are finished using ``pydevshell``, you can exit the shell +either by using Ctrl+d or closing the terminal window. + |