[Tutor] Notepad++ question

[Alexander Quest]

Got it Dave- sorry about not sending it to the newsgroup as well.

My question was regarding a piece of boilerplate code:

if __name__ == '__main__':
  main()

This calls the main function, but I don't understand what the 'if'
statement is doing here. In the simple programs that I've seen this so far,
there is no variable called "_name_", and even if there was, why is it
comparing it to "_main_"? Why can't the main function just be called by
typing main()- why do we need this if statement to precede it? Thanks.

-Alex

On Thu, Jun 7, 2012 at 6:16 PM, Dave Angel <d at davea.name> wrote:

> On 06/07/2012 02:36 PM, Alexander Quest wrote:
> > Ok, thanks guys. I also had one more quick question regarding a piece of
> > boilerplate code:
> >
>
> To get a response, you will needs to leave your question at the python
> tutor newsgroup.  We are part of a group, not offering private advice.
>
> Normally, you just do a Reply-all to one of the existing messages on the
> thread, to include the group.  But you can also type    tutor at python.org
>  as a CC:
>
> I've been volunteering my time on various forums for over 25 years now,
> so I think I speak for lots of other volunteers.
>
>
> --
>
> DaveA
>
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