^ as shown in the last two commands herethese executables also accept python version numbers on the command line (and in unix-style #lines at the top of scriptsas discussed later)and are associated to open python files when clicked just like the original python executable--which is still available and works as beforebut is somewhat superseded by the launcher' new programs the launcher is standard part of python and is available standalone for use with other versions we'll see more on this new launcher in this and later including brief look at its #line support here howeverbecause it is of interest only to windows usersand even for this group is present only in or where installed separatelyi've collected almost all of the details about the launcher in appendix if you'll be working on windows under python or lateri suggest taking brief detour to that appendix nowas it provides an alternativeand in some ways betterway to run python command lines and scripts at base levellauncher users can type py instead of python in most of the system commands shown in this bookand may avoid some configuration steps especially on computers with multiple python versionsthoughthe new launcher gives you more explicit control over which python runs your code where to runcode directories now that 've started showing you how to run codei want to say few words up front about where to run code to keep things simplein this and book at large ' going to be running code from working directory ( folderi've created on my windows computer called :\code-- subdirectory at the top of my main drive that' where 'll start most interactive sessionsand where 'll be both saving and running most script files this also means the files that examples will create will mostly show up in this directory if you'll be working alongyou should probably do something similar before we get started here are some pointers if you need help getting set up with working directory on your computeron windowsyou can make your working code directory in file explorer or command prompt window in file explorerlook for new foldersee the file menuor try right-click in command prompttype and run mkdir commandusually after you cd to your desired parent directory ( cd \and mkdir codeyour working directory can be located wherever you like and called whatever you wishand doesn' have to be :\code ( chose this name because it' short in promptsbut running out of one directory will help you keep track of your work and simplify some tasks for more windows hintssee this sidebar on command promptas well as appendix the interactive prompt