python - How to open IPython interpreter in emacs?

Question

In order to use IPython during Python development in Emacs, I have been opening up a terminal, and typing ipython. This doesn't seem like the right way to do it.

For one thing, my buffer lists this buffer as *ansi-term*, which is confusing, as I often end up with multiple terminals, one of which is dedicated to Python. I also see that I can open a python interpreter directly with M-x python-shell. It seems like there ought to be a similar option for IPython.

Is there a better way to use the IPython interpreter in Emacs?

I'm using Emacs 24 with Prelude.

Answer 1

I don't know what Prelude is, but if you can install the latest Emacs (i.e, Emacs with Fabian's python-mode included), then you can use the following to let Python mode know your preferred choice of interpreter. Then you just need to call M-x run-python:

--

(when (executable-find "ipython")
  (setq python-shell-interpreter "ipython"))

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