Tab-completion in Python interpreter in OS X Terminal

This should work under Leopard's python:

import rlcompleterimport readlinereadline.parse_and_bind ("bind ^I rl_complete")

Whereas this one does not:

import readline, rlcompleterreadline.parse_and_bind("tab: complete")

Save it in ~/.pythonrc.py and execute in .bash_profile

export PYTHONSTARTUP=$HOME/.pythonrc.py

here is a full cross platform version of loading tab completion for Windows/OS X/Linux in one shot:

#Code  UUID = '9301d536-860d-11de-81c8-0023dfaa9e40'import systry:        import readlineexcept ImportError:        try:                import pyreadline as readline        # throw open a browser if we fail both readline and pyreadline        except ImportError:                import webbrowser                webbrowser.open("http://ipython.scipy.org/moin/PyReadline/Intro#line-36")                # throw open a browser        #passelse:        import rlcompleter        if(sys.platform == 'darwin'):                readline.parse_and_bind ("bind ^I rl_complete")        else:                readline.parse_and_bind("tab: complete")

From http://www.farmckon.net/?p=181

To avoid having to use more GPL code, Apple doesn't include a real readline. Instead it uses the BSD-licensed libedit, which is only mostly-readline-compatible. Build your own Python (or use Fink or MacPorts) if you want completion.