Connecting IPython console to notebook

[AJajodia]

I saw people being able to assign variables and access them in the same kernel instance (like RStudio) but in Python. For whatever reason, it's not working for me. I assign variables in either the notebook or the console and visually they stay in their own dropdown variables window. I am on MacOS Ventura 13.0.

[seeM]

Variables aren't currently shared between the console session and a notebook session.

The console is intended to be used with ordinary Python scripts. You can press Cmd+Enter (or Ctrl+Enter) to execute the statement under the cursor in the console and advance through a script. You can also add # %% markers to denote "cells" in your scripts, and advance through those with Shift+Enter.

[seeM]

Addressing #2452 might be a better solution than sharing the console/notebook session. At the very least, it should make the UX much less confusing.

[AJajodia]

Our thinking was that most users would be confused by the console and notebook UI sharing the same session in the backend.

I made this thread for the exact opposite perspective as this one. I'm mostly an RStudio user, so I'm used to making .Rmd files and tinkering with their variables, doing summary statistics, etc. through the console. When I started having to use Python for work, I sought a way to do the same things I do in RStudio in my Jupyter Notebooks. To be honest, it's more confusing having separate variables. If it's possible, maybe a way to incorporate both perspectives would be best, like if the console dropdown could switch between a shared kernel and an independent instance. I'll add it as a feature request if it isn't already there, because I'm sure that other people would like this feature.

[seeM]

I see your point. It is a lot like editing an Rmd file while tinkering in the console, just with an ipynb file instead. Will discuss with the team!

[ntluong95]

I don't wan to make the Console below becoming useless. It is quite tempting to do some quick tinkering, totally throw away in the console

[seeM]

To close the loop, here's the enhancement request: #3801.