# Python mode as default in IDE

**URL:** <https://discourse.processing.org/t/python-mode-as-default-in-ide/39009>\
**Category:** Processing.py\
**Created:** [September 29, 2022, 1:10am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/python-mode-as-default-in-ide/39009 "2022-09-29T01:10:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kemelzaidan](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/kemelzaidan/32/17022_2.png) [@kemelzaidan](https://discourse.processing.org/u/kemelzaidan)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2022, 1:10am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/python-mode-as-default-in-ide/39009/1 "2022-09-29T01:10:10Z")

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Is there a way to start processing IDE in python mode as default? I tried changing the option in `preference.txt` from `mode.last=processing.mode.java.JavaMode` to `mode.last=processing.mode.java.PythonMode` but this didn’t work.

Anyone knows where can I find the reference for the preference.txt options? I could not find it…

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**Author:** ![mnse](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/mnse/32/16520_2.png) [@mnse](https://discourse.processing.org/u/mnse)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2022, 5:30am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/python-mode-as-default-in-ide/39009/2 "2022-09-29T05:30:40Z")

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Hi @kemelzaidan,

hmmm! If I use python mode and re-start (close and open) the PDE, the python mode persists !?  
Regarding the settings…

> [@kemelzaidan](#):
>
> mode.last=processing.mode.java.PythonMode

… I’ve  
`mode.last=jycessing.mode.PythonMode`

Please be sure that processing PDE is not runnning when you editing the preferences.txt otherwise it will be overwritten again on closing PDE.

Cheers  
— mnse

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kemelzaidan](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/kemelzaidan/32/17022_2.png) [@kemelzaidan](https://discourse.processing.org/u/kemelzaidan)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 8:19pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/python-mode-as-default-in-ide/39009/3 "2022-10-02T20:19:23Z")

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Hello @mnse,

in my system, the Python mode doesn’t persist. Processing always opens the Java mode. I was careful enough to edit the preferences.txt with the IDE not running.