python docstrings not working?

Question

def myfunc():
    """ My docstring """
    print "hello"

help(myfunc)

I get

'more' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

Windows 7 64bit, Python 2.6

Why you no have [more](http://www.computerhope.com/morehlp.htm)? — Keith, Aug 30 '11 at 09:56
This is not a Python question. This is simply a Window question. — S.Lott, Aug 30 '11 at 10:03
Can you specify how you execute your script from the command-line? — Eli Bendersky, Aug 30 '11 at 10:04

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 30 '11 at 10:58

Python's help() function tries to, in your case, execute the more command. It should look something like this, when more is installed:

>>> help(myfunc)
Help on function myfunc in module __main__:

myfunc()
    My docstring

But you can also do

>>> print myfunc.__doc__
 My docstring

to read the docstring.

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 29 '12 at 23:51

I think that the problem is not that your Windows OS doesn't have more but that Windows 7 UAC (User Access Control) runs your command line window in user mode instead of admin mode. To solve the problem, run cmd as an administrator and then run python from that window. That should take care of it. I am assuming that you have already located the more program in C:\Windows\System32\more.com

python docstrings not working?

2 Answers2