This chapter gives a tutorial on using urbansim in an interactive mode. Running Python interactively provides a convenient way for both beginners and experienced users to experiment with features and try out code. This tutorial is directed mainly to modelers, developers and other Opus users who will experiment with single components of the package and develop new features, rather than use the system of models as whole.
If necessary, install the supporting software, install Opus, and test the installation, as described in Chapter 3.
You can start a Python session by opening a command window and
typing python at the command prompt. Alternatively, the
Wing IDE also provides a convenient Python shell window.
Any code after the >>> is Python code. To follow along with this
tutorial, enter this directly into a Python interpreter. If you are unfamiliar
with Python, read Troubleshooting Python,
Section 6.6, at the end of this chapter before
proceeding through the code.