How to stop Python program execution in IDLE
break, matplotlib, python, python-idle, tkinter
Solution
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.
Problem
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.