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*TL;DR* I have created a script that would let you try out small snippet of Kotlin code from the terminal. So, you don't have to launch `intelliJ` to try out simple Kotlin code. I would like to know how you are trying out simple Kotlin code? Would you like to use the script? Or create one?


One thing I love about interpreted languages line Python is being able to try out a code snippet directly from the command line. In Python, you can either use the interactive shell or save it in a `.py` file and run it using `python script.py`.

However, when it comes to Kotlin the scenario is hugely different. Most of the times I have to launch `intelliJ` to understand the behaviour of a simple code. And launching an IDE is no joke. It takes a lot of time for starting and indexing. And if any extra dependency is needed we have to initialise a Gradle project for that. The web based Kotlin Playground is more convenient. But sadly we can't add any third party dependencies there.

I have always wanted something that would allow us to run a `.kt` file from the command line. But I couldn't find something like that.

But today I wrote a `python` script that allows me to run a Kotlin file from the command line.

For example,

Create a file with `.kt` extension and write some code in it.

```// filename -&gt; app.kt

fun main(){
    println("Hello, world")
}```
Then in the terminal type this,

```&gt;&gt; kotlin app.kt

Hello, world // the output```
I would like to know how you are trying out small snippets of Kotlin code. Would you be interested in a tutorial that would show you how to create this kind of script? Let me know :slightly_smiling_face:

Well you can run .kts file from cmdline as well

kotlinc --script myFile.kts

There's also idea light for quick edits

idea -e myFile.kt

<@UL1A5BA2X> Wow! I wish I knew it earlier! Thank you so much :hugging_face::hugging_face::hugging_face:

It's really cool.

Not trying to diminish your work here. Just wanted you to be aware of alternatives out there :grinning:

Had I known this earlier I wouldn't even have taken the pain to write the script :sweat_smile:

what is the difference between `kotlinc —script` and just `kotlin`? I just use `kotlin` with no issues to run scripts

kotlinc --script works on all .kts files, kotlin requires .main.kts

FYI: there's ki shell that is pretty much jshell for kotlin

<https://github.com/Kotlin/kotlin-interactive-shell|https://github.com/Kotlin/kotlin-interactive-shell>

<https://blog.jetbrains.com/kotlin/2021/04/ki-the-next-interactive-shell-for-kotlin/|https://blog.jetbrains.com/kotlin/2021/04/ki-the-next-interactive-shell-for-kotlin/>

I still think "ki shell" should be called "kshell" for all the Java converts among us...

<@UL1A5BA2X> you have a typo in your first advice, it should be
```kotlinc -script myFile.kts ```
with single dash

Ah, yes. Kotlin adopted those shitty java options instead of UNIX...

<@U022C26GQH2> no effort wasted here: you learned something anyway in the process: how to make it work using Python and the existing alternatives. I learned a lot from this thread too, so it’s good for everyone! :thumbsup: