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CHAPTER 1 Discovering ironPython
Creates an environment where sharing of objects and libraries between languages is possible
Makes it possible to perform fast dynamic dispatch and invocation of objects
This section provides a good overview of DLR. You’ll discover additional details about DLR as the
book progresses. However, if you’d like to delve into some of the architectural details of DLR, check
out the article at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/dd233052.aspx.
USING THE IRONPYTHON CONSOLE
The IronPython console is the best place to begin working with IronPython. You can enter a few
statements, test them out, and then work out additional details without too many consequences. In
addition, because the console is interactive, you obtain immediate feedback, so you don’t have to
wait for a compile cycle to discover that something you’re doing is completely wrong. In fact, even
after you’ve mastered IronPython, you’ll find that you use the console to try things out. Because
IronPython is a dynamic language, you can try things without worrying about damaging an applica-
tion. You can test things quickly using the console and then include them in your application. The
following sections describe the IronPython console and how to use it. Expect to see the IronPython
console in future chapters.
Opening and Using the Default Console
The IronPython console is an application provided with the default installation. You access it using
the Start Programs IronPython 2.6 IronPython Console command. The console, shown in
Figure 1-3, looks something like a command prompt, but it isn’t.
FIGURE 13: The IronPython console looks something like a command prompt.
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