Troubleshooting Python

If you are unfamiliar with Python, here are some guidelines.

• In Python, (, {, and [ each have different meanings. Be careful to use the correct type of ``parentheses''.
• Be careful about whether the name has a single underscore, e.g. _one, versus two leading underscores, e.g. __two. These can look similar in our documentation, so look carefully.
• In Python, words that have two double-underscores before and after the word, e.g. __init__ or __path__, generally denote ``special'' symbols.
• A command can be split over multiple lines. Normally, the Python continuation symbol ` $\backslash$ ' at the end of each non-finished line is required. There is one exception: expressions in parentheses, straight brackets, or curly braces do not need ' $\backslash$ '.
• Indentation matters in Python. Code blocks (except with expressions in parentheses, straight brackets, or curly braces) are defined by their indentation. We recommend only using spaces and not tabs, since combining them can be quite confusing if different systems display the tabs using different numbers of spaces.