How to stop Python program execution in IDLE

Question

I have a python script that uses plt.show() as it's last instruction. When it runs, IDLE just hangs after the last instruction. I get the image but I don't get the prompt back.

On other scripts I typically use ctrl-c to break the program (sometimes doesn't work immediately) but how do I get the prompt back with the plt.show()? Ctrl-c doesn't work...

Are there other ways to stop the program?

This is IDLE on Windows, if it makes any difference.

Answer 1

I have seen this problem with IDLE and matplotlib when using them on Windows. I don't know the exact cause, but Ctrl-c a couple times has typically worked for me. If that doesn't work for you, you can use the normal interpreter instead of write your plot directly to a file instead of the screen.

This is one of those (plentiful) times when IDLE doesn't behave like a normal Python script or interpreter session. Because of this, I usually avoid IDLE.