How Can I Get The RUN Button In Visual Studio Code To Turn GREEN ...

• Insights Blog -- Browse All Articles -- Physics Articles Math Articles Education Articles Bio/Chem/Tech Articles
• Forums Chemistry Biology and Medical Earth Sciences Computer Science Computing and Technology DIY Projects
• Trending

Log in Register What's new

• Chemistry
• Biology and Medical
• Earth Sciences
• Computer Science
• Computing and Technology
• DIY Projects

Menu Log in Register Navigation More options Style variation System Light Dark Contact us Close Menu You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.

• Forums
• Other Sciences
• Computing and Technology

How can I get the RUN button in Visual Studio Code to turn GREEN again?

• Thread starter Thread starter SamRoss
• Start date Start date Nov 30, 2021
• Tags Tags Code Green Latex Python Visual

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around issues with the RUN button in Visual Studio Code turning white for Python files, specifically in the context of generating LaTeX worksheets through a Python script. Participants explore potential causes and solutions related to the behavior of the IDE, the execution of Python scripts, and the interaction with external processes.

Discussion Character

• Technical explanation
• Debate/contested
• Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

• One participant notes that the RUN button turned white for Python files and describes the strange behavior of their script, which intermittently fails to generate the expected output.
• Another participant suggests adding `import sys` and `sys.exit()` to the script to ensure proper termination and signal to VS Code that the program has finished.
• Multiple participants question whether the issue could be related to the way Python handles processes, particularly when generating multiple output files.
• Concerns are raised about using Dropbox for development, as it may interfere with file handling due to competing processes.
• One participant mentions that running the script from the command prompt also exhibits issues, but does not affect other Python files in VS Code.
• There is a suggestion that the participant's script might be spawning multiple processes that are not terminating properly, potentially complicating execution.
• Another participant questions the use of external processes like tex2pdf and discusses the implications of file handling in a live backup environment.
• Some participants express uncertainty about the necessity of certain coding practices, such as using `sys.exit()` or spawning external processes in loops.
• There is a mention of potential recursion issues in the participant's functions, which could complicate variable management and output generation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the necessity of certain coding practices and the impact of using Dropbox for development. There is no consensus on the root cause of the issue or the best approach to resolve it, as multiple competing views remain.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations related to the execution environment, including the potential for interference from file synchronization services and the handling of external processes within the Python script. There are unresolved questions about the specific behavior of the script and the IDE.

SamRoss Gold Member Messages 256 Reaction score 36 TL;DR One python file seems to have broken itself and others I have been using Visual Studio Code for a couple months now and it has been fine. When I want to run some code, there is usually a little green triangle button in the top right corner that I can click on. A few days ago, that triangle turned white only for Python files (it is still green for Latex files). I posted some pictures below. It is also exhibiting strange behavior. The project I am working on involves creating multiple versions of math worksheets on various topics for my students. I have a bunch of latex worksheet templates and a "master" python file which reads the latex templates and then writes a new file with different numbers for each problem. Everything was working fine until recently. Now, when I run the master python file, it might work a couple times but eventually it stops working and clicking on the white run button does nothing. When this happens, all other python files that I try opening stop working as well and my only recourse is to shut down Visual Studio Code and reopen it, hoping for another couple good runs before it all breaks again. Any ideas would be appreciated. I've already tried already restarting Visual Studio Code, restarting my computer, and uninstalling and reinstalling Visual Studio Code. I also tried running everything on my other computer at work and the same thing happens. Thank you! Edit: I noticed something which might be a clue. I have a "make_worksheet" function which should generate as many versions of a worksheet as I want. After a couple run throughs with everything working, the bad attempt will always be bad in the same way. It will generate a few versions of the worksheet (not as many as I put in) and the last line of the latex file is always \newpage.

Attachments

• white triangle.PNG 20.3 KB · Views: 399
• green triangle.PNG 16.5 KB · Views: 462

Last edited: Nov 30, 2021 Computer science news on Phys.org

• How symmetry can come to the aid of machine learning
• The future of AI could be great—or catastrophic
• Researchers harness large language models to accelerate materials discovery

Mark44 Mentor Insights Author Messages 38,090 Reaction score 10,639 Here is something to try: At the top of your code, add this line -- import sys Add this as the last line -- sys.exit() I believe that the reason the triangle doesn't turn green is that your Python script isn't returning control back to the operating system. By importing the sys module and calling its exit() method, that should signal VS Code that your program has finished. anorlunda Staff Emeritus Science Advisor Homework Helper Insights Author Messages 11,326 Reaction score 8,754 The obvious first question to ask, "Have you tried rebooting?" SamRoss Gold Member Messages 256 Reaction score 36 Hi @Mark44. Thanks for the help. Unfortunately I'm still seeing the same behavior. It ran a couple times then stopped. I noticed something which might be a clue. I have a "make_worksheet" function which should generate as many versions of a worksheet as I want. After a couple run throughs with everything working, the bad attempt will always be bad in the same way. It will generate a few versions of the worksheet (not as many as I put in) and the last line of the latex file is always \newpage. SamRoss Gold Member Messages 256 Reaction score 36

anorlunda said: The obvious first question to ask, "Have you tried rebooting?"

I have, yes. pbuk Science Advisor Homework Helper Gold Member Messages 4,973 Reaction score 3,225 The Python debugger in VS Code (or for that matter any IDE) is designed for debugging, not live runs against large datasets and/or spawning multiple external processes. I won't go into the technology of how VS Code does that (unless somebody asks really nicely :D), but in essence because of the way Python works it is a bit of a kludge. So develop, test and debug your program using a couple of simple structures, and then when you are done do a test run with the full dataset from the command prompt with python master.py. SamRoss Gold Member Messages 256 Reaction score 36

pbuk said: ...do a test run with the full dataset from the command prompt with python master.py.

Hello again @pbuk :) . I seem to be having the same problem even in the command prompt (except for the fact that running the master file from the command prompt did not stop other python files from working in vscode). Below are pictures of what's going on. I called my make_worksheet function to make 12 copies of the "fractions intro" worksheet and name it "attempt 34". I typed python master.py in the command prompt and then tried viewing the generated latex file in vscode (should I not have done that?). As you might be able to make out from the third picture below if you squint hard enough, I got 2 versions of the worksheet as opposed to the requested 12. Again, the latex file stopped at a \newpage (every worksheet template ends with \newpage). It did not go any further than that and it did not pull my "template - end.tex" file which is just a .tex file that has \end{document} written on it which I need to complete the created attempt file. I also noticed that in the command prompt, I am not able to enter any new commands unless I exit and open it up again.

Attachments

• master pic.PNG 4.8 KB · Views: 259
• command prompt.PNG 3.4 KB · Views: 239
• worksheet pic.PNG 29.6 KB · Views: 230

pbuk Science Advisor Homework Helper Gold Member Messages 4,973 Reaction score 3,225 Sounds like in attempting to create 12 output files you are spawning 12 processes which are not terminating properly. Are you running tex2pdf or similar as part of this process? DaveC426913 Gold Member 2025 Award Messages 24,294 Reaction score 8,450 Am working on a fix in Photoshop. Plz attach full-size uncompressed screenshot. pbuk Science Advisor Homework Helper Gold Member Messages 4,973 Reaction score 3,225 Also I notice that you are working on this in a Dropbox folder; that is probably not a good idea as Python will be competing with Dropbox for handles for the files. Probably best to do all development work in a folder that does not have any kind of live backup (or any backup at all - you are using git?) pbuk Science Advisor Homework Helper Gold Member Messages 4,973 Reaction score 3,225

Mark44 said: Here is something to try: At the top of your code, add this line -- import sys Add this as the last line -- sys.exit() I believe that the reason the triangle doesn't turn green is that your Python script isn't returning control back to the operating system. By importing the sys module and calling its exit() method, that should signal VS Code that your program has finished.

No, you don't need sys.exit or anything else, a Python script terminates at the end of the file. SamRoss Gold Member Messages 256 Reaction score 36

pbuk said: Sounds like in attempting to create 12 output files you are spawning 12 processes which are not terminating properly. Are you running tex2pdf or similar as part of this process?

No, I'm not. Should I be? Here are some pics of the make_worksheet function if it's helpful.

Attachments

• Screenshot (1).png 32.6 KB · Views: 260
• Screenshot (2).png 38.6 KB · Views: 226
• Screenshot (3).png 37.8 KB · Views: 245

SamRoss Gold Member Messages 256 Reaction score 36

DaveC426913 said: Am working on a fix in Photoshop. Plz attach full-size uncompressed screenshot.

Thanks for the help, @DaveC426913. What exactly do you need a screenshot of? Last edited by a moderator: Nov 30, 2021 SamRoss Gold Member Messages 256 Reaction score 36

pbuk said: Also I notice that you are working on this in a Dropbox folder; that is probably not a good idea as Python will be competing with Dropbox for handles for the files. Probably best to do all development work in a folder that does not have any kind of live backup (or any backup at all - you are using git?)

I'm not using git. In fact, although I've heard it mentioned over and over, I'm not really quite sure what it is. I suppose my next step should be to look into it. Dropbox is where I've been keeping all my important files for many years. Guess I'll have to make a change. pbuk Science Advisor Homework Helper Gold Member Messages 4,973 Reaction score 3,225 Dropbox (and Google Drive, MS OneDrive etc.) is fine for a typical document that you work on and save (or autosave) every few minutes. When you are developing software (not so much Python admittedly), the compiler and debugger may create many temporary files in your working directory. This confuses Dropbox.

SamRoss said: Thanks for the help, #DaveC426913. What exactly do you need a screenshot of?

I think @DaveC426913 was trying to make a joke.

SamRoss said: No, I'm not [spawning external processes]. Should I be? Here are some pics of the make_worksheet function if it's helpful.

No, you don't want to spawn tex2pdf processes in any big loops, that could only make things worse. You are opening and closing files a bit more than is ideal, but you do seem to be closing them properly and you are not running multiple copies of the program simultaneously so I can't see any obvious problem. Oh unless your gen_times_tables etc. functions are causing some recursion? I assume these set the global variables which you then substitute in: this is horrible, as is the hard coding of variable names for substitution (you could replace all of this with functions that return a dict with the keys as the placeholder text and the values the text to substitute), and you don't need the up_to variable, you can just use the length() of the relevant dict. SamRoss Gold Member Messages 256 Reaction score 36

pbuk said: Oh unless your gen_times_tables etc. functions are causing some recursion? I assume these set the global variables which you then substitute in: this is horrible, as is the hard coding of variable names for substitution (you could replace all of this with functions that return a dict with the keys as the placeholder text and the values the text to substitute), and you don't need the up_to variable, you can just use the length() of the relevant dict.

Yes, that is what I've been doing. I do have a heck of a lot of global variables which did seem awkward to me. I'll try the dictionary strategy and let you know how it goes.

Similar threads

How do I connect a button pressed signal with code in Godot 4?

• Dec 27, 2023 · Replies 1 · Dec 28, 2023

Replies 1 Views 6K How to install Cheerio in Visual Studio Code v 1.87.1

• Mar 8, 2024 · Replies 2 · Mar 9, 2024

Replies 2 Views 3K Python I am trying to use alembic in python flask and it is not working

• Mar 18, 2022 · Replies 13 · Mar 25, 2022

Replies 13 Views 5K C/C++ From when does matplotlib require Visual C++? (Python 3.8.0)

• Nov 20, 2019 · Replies 2 · Nov 20, 2019

Replies 2 Views 3K MATLAB Can I run sections of code independently in Python and C++ like in MATLAB?

• Aug 6, 2022 · Replies 5 · Aug 7, 2022

Replies 5 Views 3K C/C++ Why Isn't My C++ Code Working in Windows Visual Studios?

• Jan 28, 2014 · Replies 16 · Jan 31, 2014

Replies 16 Views 5K Mathematica How to type mathematical equations using LaTeX

• May 7, 2019 · Replies 3 · Oct 7, 2019

Replies 3 Views 2K Python Modifying Future Value Program with a Python GUI

• Feb 10, 2013 · Replies 2 · Feb 10, 2013

Replies 2 Views 3K C/C++ How Can I Fix Template and Non-Member Function Issues in MS Visual Studio C++?

• Apr 27, 2012 · Replies 6 · Apr 27, 2012

Replies 6 Views 4K LaTeX How can I troubleshoot LaTeX errors without line numbers or specific locations?

• May 15, 2012 · Replies 6 · Jun 21, 2013

Replies 6 Views 7K

• Forums
• Other Sciences
• Computing and Technology

Hot Threads

• W

  What Free Privacy-Focused AI Chatbots Don’t Use My Data for Training?

  • Started by WWGD
  • Nov 11, 2025
  • Replies: 22
  • Computing and Technology
• 

  How far will we let AI control us?

  • Started by Neutrin0
  • Nov 27, 2025
  • Replies: 101
  • Computing and Technology
• 

  If you think having a backup is too expensive, try not having one

  • Started by nsaspook
  • Oct 8, 2025
  • Replies: 32
  • Computing and Technology
• H

  Impersonation News

  • Started by Hornbein
  • Nov 22, 2025
  • Replies: 10
  • Computing and Technology
• 

  Cooling a processor chip

  • Started by sophiecentaur
  • Oct 17, 2025
  • Replies: 30
  • Computing and Technology

Recent Insights

• 

  Insights Thinking Outside The Box Versus Knowing What’s In The Box

  • Started by Greg Bernhardt
  • Oct 13, 2025
  • Replies: 26
  • Other Physics Topics
• 

  Insights Why Entangled Photon-Polarization Qubits Violate Bell’s Inequality

  • Started by Greg Bernhardt
  • Sep 29, 2025
  • Replies: 28
  • Quantum Interpretations and Foundations
• 

  Insights Quantum Entanglement is a Kinematic Fact, not a Dynamical Effect

  • Started by Greg Bernhardt
  • Sep 2, 2025
  • Replies: 22
  • Quantum Physics
• 

  Insights What Exactly is Dirac’s Delta Function? - Insight

  • Started by Greg Bernhardt
  • Sep 2, 2025
  • Replies: 33
  • General Math
• 

  Insights Relativator (Circular Slide-Rule): Simulated with Desmos - Insight

  • Started by Greg Bernhardt
  • Sep 2, 2025
  • Replies: 1
  • Special and General Relativity
• P

  Insights Fixing Things Which Can Go Wrong With Complex Numbers

  • Started by PAllen
  • Jul 20, 2025
  • Replies: 7
  • General Math

Back Top