help() Interactive help
Last updated: 2026-09-22
help() Interactive help
help() opens interactive help; help(obj) prints the docstring and a brief description.
| Category | Built-in Functions |
|---|---|
| Kind | Built-in Function |
| Python Version | all |
📝 Syntax
help([object])⚙️ Parameters
| object Optional | The object to inspect; omitted to enter interactive help.（Default：None） |
|---|
Returns：Returns None; help text is written to stdout.
▶ Example
Edit the code, press Run, and see the result in the output panel:
Output：
_Helper
True🏷️ Related Built-in Functions
💡 Related Cases
More case studies coming soon — check back later.
❓ FAQ
QWhat happens when help() is called without arguments?
AIt enters the interactive help interface, where you can type a module/function name to browse its documentation and press q or Ctrl+D to exit.
QWhat does help(print) show?
AIt shows print's docstring, full parameter signature, and explanation — a handy way to quickly look up a built-in's usage.
QHow do help() and dir() work together?
Adir(obj) shows what is there (a list of attribute names), while help(obj) shows how to use it (documentation). Using dir first, then help, is the usual way to explore an unfamiliar object.
QDoes help() return a value?
ANo, it returns None and writes help text directly to standard output; to capture the text use pydoc.render_doc(obj).
