Auto-reload turtle code on file save (https://docs.python.org/3/library/turtle.html)

watch_turtle.py

"""Reloads the `my_turtle.py` code on save.

Put simple turtle instructions in the `my_turtle.py` file,
and they'll be re-run (on a clean window) on each file save.

Usage:
1/ put some turtle instructions in a `my_turtle.py` file
   (eg `turtle.forward(100)`)
2/ run `python watch_turtle.py` on a commandline
   (no dependencies needed)
3/ play around by adding/modifiying some turtle instructions
   in the `my_turtle.py` file
4/ when you're happy with your modifications, save the file
   (it'll empty the turtle screen and re-run the instructions)
5/ back to 3/

Stop by pressing CTRL+C in the terminal.
"""
import os
import traceback
import sys
import time
import turtle

# Get the last modification time. Not as effective as some
# libs out there, but doesn't needs dependencies.
get_last_mod = lambda: os.stat('my_turtle.py').st_mtime

# Fancier than the original arrow shape.
turtle.shape('turtle')

# Initialize with a dummy value.
last_modification = 0

while True:  # Run until a KeyboardInterrupt (CTRL+C).
    try:
        if get_last_mod() != last_modification:
            # Has the `my_turtle.py` file been saved?
            print('Reloading...')
            last_modification = get_last_mod()
            # Empty the window, start from scratch.
            turtle.reset()
            # Re-run the instructions in the `my_turtle.py` file.
            with open('my_turtle.py', 'r') as my_turtle:
                exec(my_turtle.read())
        time.sleep(1)  # Poll once a second.
    except KeyboardInterrupt:  # CTRL+C in the terminal.
        print('Bye!')
        sys.exit()
    except:
        # Anything wrong in the `my_turtle.py` file?
        # Don't fail, just display the traceback, and continue.
        print(traceback.format_exc())

Yeah, this is pretty horrible (exec really?)

It's a few lines thrown together to improve the experience of users: saving their code in the my_turtle.py file will automatically reset the turtle window and rerun the commands in there.

Example content for the my_turtle.py file:

turtle.forward(100)
turtle.left(90)
turtle.forward(100)
turtle.left(90)
turtle.forward(100)
turtle.left(90)
turtle.forward(100)

This lets you use just any editor (choose one that is easy enough, not sure that putting them in vim and teaching them "esc + :w" is a good idea).

It's also much nicer than the previous flow I had when showing the mighty turtle to non-developers:
1/ I type import turtle\nturtle.forward(100) in the REPL
2/ I go find some unsuspecting victim and tell them "hey, how are you, look at this nice turtle, it's going to move"
3/ "your turn, try it with different values instead of 100"
4/ "ok, your turtle went off the screen, give me the keyboard back while I type turtle.reset()"
5/ "now your turn, the computer is all yours (until I'll need to take it back to reset the window). Oh, by the way, you need to re-type everything from the beginning (yeah, even when you learn to write functions or loops). The 'up key' isn't going to help much. You'll just suffer. Also, the mouse won't help you much in the REPL. Or even not at all. Use the arrow keys."

Oh, btw, if you'd rather have french instead of english, very easy, add the following few lines after line 30 for example:

tortue = turtle
turtle.avance = turtle.forward
turtle.droite = turtle.right
turtle.gauche = turtle.left

Now you can have the following in the my_turtle.py file:

tortue.avance(100)
tortue.gauche(90)
tortue.avance(100)
tortue.gauche(90)
tortue.avance(100)
tortue.gauche(90)
tortue.avance(100)

Does inotifyrun python turtle.py not fit your needs ?