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python-gpiozero/docs/notes.rst

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=====
Notes
=====
.. currentmodule:: gpiozero
.. _keep-your-script-running:
Keep your script running
========================
The following script looks like it should turn an LED on::
from gpiozero import LED
led = LED(17)
led.on()
And it does, if you're using the Python (or IPython or IDLE) shell. However,
if you saved this script as a Python file and ran it, it would flash on
briefly, then the script would end and it would turn off.
The following file includes an intentional :func:`~signal.pause` to keep the
script alive::
from gpiozero import LED
from signal import pause
led = LED(17)
led.on()
pause()
Now the script will stay running, leaving the LED on, until it is terminated
manually (e.g. by pressing Ctrl+C). Similarly, when setting up callbacks on
button presses or other input devices, the script needs to be running for the
events to be detected::
from gpiozero import Button
from signal import pause
def hello():
print("Hello")
button = Button(2)
button.when_pressed = hello
pause()
Importing from GPIO Zero
========================
In Python, libraries and functions used in a script must be imported by name
at the top of the file, with the exception of the functions built into Python
by default.
For example, to use the :class:`Button` interface from GPIO Zero, it
should be explicitly imported::
from gpiozero import Button
Now :class:`~gpiozero.Button` is available directly in your script::
button = Button(2)
Alternatively, the whole GPIO Zero library can be imported::
import gpiozero
In this case, all references to items within GPIO Zero must be prefixed::
button = gpiozero.Button(2)
How can I tell what version of gpiozero I have installed?
=========================================================
The gpiozero library relies on the setuptools package for installation
services. You can use the setuptools ``pkg_resources`` API to query which
version of gpiozero is available in your Python environment like so::
>>> from pkg_resources import require
>>> require('gpiozero')
[gpiozero 1.2.0 (/usr/local/lib/python2.7/dist-packages)]
>>> require('gpiozero')[0].version
'1.2.0'
If you have multiple versions installed (e.g. from ``pip`` and ``apt-get``)
they will not show up in the list returned by the ``require`` method. However,
the first entry in the list will be the version that ``import gpiozero`` will
import.
If you receive the error "No module named pkg_resources", you need to install
the ``pip`` utility. This can be done with the following command in Raspbian::
$ sudo apt-get install python-pip