Print character to a certain point on console in Python?

Question

Is there a way to print a character to a certain point on console using Python (3)? Here's an ideal example on what I'm trying to achieve:

def print_char(x, y, char):
    # Move console cursor to 'x', 'y'
    # Set character under cursor to 'char'

I know it's possible in some other languages, how about Python? I don't mind if I have to use an external library.

I'm on a Windows 7.

You'd probably best use something like [urwid](http://urwid.org/). — Lukas Graf, Mar 09 '14 at 18:24
In that case, the [docs](http://docs.python.org/3/howto/curses.html) suggest either unicurses or the console module as alternatives. — rlms, Mar 09 '14 at 18:57

anon582847382 · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-09T18:53:12.167

7

If you are on UNIX (if you are not, see below), use curses:

import curses

stdscr = curses.initscr()

def print_char(x, y, char):
    stdscr.addch(y, x, char)

Only the Python package for UNIX platforms includes the curses module. But don't worry if that doesn't apply to you, as a ported version called UniCurses is available for Windows and Mac OS.

edited Mar 09 '14 at 18:53

answered Mar 09 '14 at 18:34

anon582847382

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Forgot to mention, I'm on windows 7 :/ – Markus Meskanen Mar 09 '14 at 18:52
@MarkusMeskanen Then use the ported version that I mentioned in my answer. – anon582847382 Mar 09 '14 at 18:53
Yeah didn't see it at first, thanks, I'll give it a try before accepting! :P – Markus Meskanen Mar 09 '14 at 18:55

bblhd · Answer 2 · 2023-06-06T08:44:17.960

If your console/terminal supports ANSI escape characters, then this is a good solution that doesn't require any modules.

def print_char(x, y, char):
    print("\033["+str(y)+";"+str(x)+"H"+char)

You may have to translate the coordinates slightly to get it in the correct position, but it works. You can print a string of any length in place of a single character. Also, if you want to execute the function multiple times repeatedly in-between clearing the screen, you may want to do this.

def print_char(x, y, char):
    compstring += "\033["+str(y)+";"+str(x)+"H"+char

Then print compstring after all of print_char's have executed. This will reduce flickering from clearing the screen.

Print character to a certain point on console in Python?

2 Answers2