Introduction to Brython


Python is known for its simplicity and readability, making it an excellent choice for beginners. With its rise in popularity, the demand for Python to run in the browser also grew. Brython, an acronym for Browser Python, is an innovative solution to this requirement. This article will explore what Brython is, its potential uses, and provide practical examples to demonstrate its features.

Brython: Python for the Web

A browser-based implementation of Python 3 is called Brython. Instead of JavaScript, it enables developers to create client-side scripts in Python. With Brython, you can take use of Python's structure and simplicity while gaining access to the vast array of web technologies already in use.

Setting Up Brython

The Brython javascript file, which may be obtained from the Brython website or linked directly via a Content Delivery Network (CDN), can be readily inserted to your HTML pages by connecting to it in a script tag.

Here is a basic HTML file configured for Brython −

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/brython@3/brython.min.js"></script>
</head>
<body onload="brython()">
   <script type="text/python">
      print("Hello, Brython!")
   </script>
</body>
</html>

In this configuration, the HTML document's body is loaded before any script tags with the type="text/python" attribute are executed.

Dive into Practical Examples

Let's look at some real-world Brython usage samples.

Example 1: Basic Interactions

Let's begin with a straightforward application that asks the user for their name and shows a greeting.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/brython@3/brython.min.js"></script>
</head>
<body onload="brython()">
   <script type="text/python">
      name = input("What is your name? ")
      print(f"Hello, {name}!")
   </script>
</body>
</html>

This Python programme operates exactly as it would if it were in a typical Python environment. The user is asked to enter their name, and a greeting is printed.

Example 2: Interacting with HTML Elements

Brython has the ability to dynamically interact with and modify HTML components. In this demonstration, we'll make an HTML button that, when clicked, modifies the content of a text element.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/brython@3/brython.min.js"></script>
</head>
<body onload="brython()">
   <button id="myButton">Click me!</button>
   <p id="myText">Original Text</p>
   <script type="text/python">
      from browser import document

      def change_text(event):
         document["myText"].text = "Text changed!"

      document["myButton"].bind("click", change_text)
   </script>
</body>
</html>

In this illustration, pressing the button will replace the words "Original Text" with "Text changed!"

Example 3: Using Python Libraries

You may use Python's features in the browser by using Brython, which comes with various common Python modules.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
   <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/brython@3/brython.min.js"></script>
</head>
<body onload="brython()">
   <script type="text/python">
      import math

      print(math.factorial(10))
   </script>
</body>
</html>

The factorial of 10 is computed and displayed in this example using the math library, a common Python package. The factorial of 10 will be output when you run this code in your web browser, which is 3628800.

When to Use Brython?

Although JavaScript is the prevalent language for web programming, Brython gives Python experts the opportunity to expand their expertise to the front-end. For Python programmers who don't want to learn JavaScript but yet want to build dynamic websites, it's perfect. It's important to note, though, that JavaScript now enjoys greater community acceptance and a wider ecosystem of libraries. Brython is a fantastic tool for particular use cases, particularly for Python fans who wish to take advantage of Python's advantages on the web!

Conclusion

Brython offers a different approach to JavaScript for creating dynamic websites by utilising Python's capabilities within the web browser. It's simple to use and lets you take advantage of Python's well-known syntax and structure while still making use of the strength of contemporary web technologies. Brython offers a fascinating new path for web development, whether you're a seasoned Python coder or just starting out.

This article introduced Brython, explored its potential applications, and provided real-world examples of how it may be used. As we've seen, Brython is a flexible tool that's worth investigating. It can handle everything from simple interactions to modifying HTML elements and using Python's huge libraries.

Updated on: 17-Jul-2023

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