def METHOD_NAME(self, do_poll=True):
    '''
    check whether interpreter is running.
    If so, can't switch to MDI mode.
    '''
    if do_poll:
        self.s.poll()
    return (self.s.task_mode == linuxcnc.MODE_AUTO and
            self.s.interp_state != linuxcnc.INTERP_IDLE)