# Can't run "Hello World" in python mode

**URL:** <https://discourse.processing.org/t/cant-run-hello-world-in-python-mode/22012>\
**Category:** Processing.py\
**Created:** [June 19, 2020, 10:50pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/cant-run-hello-world-in-python-mode/22012 "2020-06-19T22:50:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 9\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Spiff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@Spiff](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Spiff)\
**Post date:** [June 19, 2020, 10:50pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/cant-run-hello-world-in-python-mode/22012/1 "2020-06-19T22:50:14Z")

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Basic problem here. Any tips would be most welcome. I can run code in Java Mode. And I have Installed Python mode. But even the most basic code won’t run. e.g.:

```auto
ellipse(50, 50, 80, 80)

```

When I click the “Run” button, it turns white and green for a moment, but then turns back to gray and no drawing window ever appears.

EDIT:  
Tried removing and re-installing python mode. Tried restarting computer. Tried removing Processing and re-downloading latest version (3.5.4) and re-installing Python mode. Tried running the Processing app off the desktop instead of the Applications folder. Still no luck.  
Macbook Pro, OS 10.14.6

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**Author:** ![Spiff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@Spiff](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Spiff)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2020, 4:01am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/cant-run-hello-world-in-python-mode/22012/2 "2020-06-20T04:01:51Z")

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Does Processing.py rely on a particular version of python (e.g. 2.7) or a particular path where it should be located on a Mac? I have done other Python programming on my MacBook Pro, so things may have been moved around.

Python mode works fine on my Mac Mini that also runs OS 10.14.6…

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**Author:** ![tabreturn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/tabreturn/32/3697_2.png) [@tabreturn](https://discourse.processing.org/u/tabreturn)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2020, 5:06am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/cant-run-hello-world-in-python-mode/22012/3 "2020-06-20T05:06:12Z")

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Welcome, @Spiff

Processing installs everything your system needs when you add Python Mode via Processing (it relies on its own Python interpreter, not the one installed on your system).

Perhaps try deleting your Processing folder, located at `/Users/<your_username>/Documents/Processing/`. Also, delete your preferences folder at `/Users/<your_username>/Library/Processing/`.

Then re-open Processing and add Python Mode again.

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**Author:** ![GoToLoop](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/gotoloop/32/86_2.png) [@GoToLoop](https://discourse.processing.org/u/GoToLoop)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2020, 6:01am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/cant-run-hello-world-in-python-mode/22012/4 "2020-06-20T06:01:47Z")

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> [@Spiff](#):
>
> Does Processing.py rely on a particular version of Python (e.g. 2.7)?

> **[Python, Jython and Java \\ Tutorials](https://py.processing.org/tutorials/python-jython-java/)**
>
> Python Mode for Processing extends the Processing Development Environment with the Python programming language.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Spiff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@Spiff](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Spiff)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2020, 7:07am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/cant-run-hello-world-in-python-mode/22012/5 "2020-06-20T07:07:00Z")

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Thanks for your information and suggestions. Still not working, however. I tried:  
• Renaming and moving the Processing folder from Documents onto my desktop (I wanted to keep the previous processing scripts I had written, so I didn’t delete the folder.)  
• Deleting the Processing folder from my “Library”, as you suggested.  
• Deleting the Processing app. (Probably to no effect.)  
• Restarting computer, re-downloading Processing, re-adding Python Mode.

I’m at a loss about what else could be conflicting with Processing running in python mode on this particular machine.

Let me know if you have any other suggestions. I really appreciate the help.

-Spiff

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Spiff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@Spiff](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Spiff)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/cant-run-hello-world-in-python-mode/22012/6 "2020-06-20T21:50:17Z")

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I find that I am able to run Processing.py from the command line.  
[https://py.processing.org/tutorials/command-line/](https://py.processing.org/tutorials/command-line/)  
So that will be my workaround for now. Thanks again for your help.

-Spiff

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![villares](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/villares/32/3166_2.png) [@villares](https://discourse.processing.org/u/villares)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2020, 10:44pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/cant-run-hello-world-in-python-mode/22012/7 "2020-06-26T22:44:30Z")

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@Spiff thank you for your persistence! Welcome to the community!

Consider opening an issue at: [https://github.com/jdf/Processing.py-Bugs](https://github.com/jdf/Processing.py-Bugs)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![villares](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/villares/32/3166_2.png) [@villares](https://discourse.processing.org/u/villares)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 12:35pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/cant-run-hello-world-in-python-mode/22012/8 "2020-06-27T12:35:26Z")

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Does your Processing path or sketchbook (…//Documents/Processing ?) path contain non-ASCII characters ?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Spiff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@Spiff](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Spiff)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2020, 7:55pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/cant-run-hello-world-in-python-mode/22012/9 "2020-06-27T19:55:41Z")

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No non-ASCII characters in the path names. Processing is installed in the standard “Applications” folder, and the sketches are in /Documents/Processing