configure IPython using start_ipython()

Question

When i use a plain python shell (i hope this terminology is understandable) and then type

import IPython
IPython.start_ipython(["--pylab=qt", "--TerminalInteractiveShell.editor=scite"])

the ipython console starts just like

ipython --pylab=qt --TerminalInteractiveShell.editor=scite

but when i do the same in an already running ipython console, this does not work. Is it possible to 'reset' a running ipython console?

EDIT: I solved my problem now in my own code. Surely presenting my code here will not help anyone. On the given answers (thank you!): Typing

%pylab qt, %
%config TerminalInteractiveShell.editor='scite'

does not throw an error message. However it is NOT the same as

ipython --pylab=qt --TerminalInteractiveShell.editor='scite'

Behaviour is different and my GUI is responsive only in the latter case. I do not know why.

• Thomas K: You can change config settings with the %config magic, i.e. %config TerminalInteractiveShell.editor='scite'.
• HeinzKurt: I saw those options, but i could not find out how to mimic '--pylab=qt'. I also read somewhere, that this particular option must be set before every other option.
• Thomas K: There's a separate %pylab magic to enable pylab mode. Use %pylab qt to make it pick the Qt backend.

Answer 1

There is an IPython magic command %reset which will clear all variables.

You can see more details and the docstring using %reset?:

Resets the namespace by removing all names defined by the user, if called without arguments, or by removing some types of objects, such as everything currently in IPython's In[] and Out[] containers (see the parameters for details).

• HeinzKurt: This command unfortunately does not reset sys.modules. And that is the problem here i fear.