Setting up a virtualenv for blockly

The problem:

In a nutshell: blockly needs python2.7.

Since an installation of python3+ is necessary for the lab and cross compilers, it can't be used directly with blockly.

The solution:

Setting up virtualenv

The easiest way is to install a virtualenv. Open the blockly project and follow these steps:

• Install the python plugin für IntelliJ in File -> Settings -> Plugins:
  • Shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + S

• Setup the project structure in File -> Project Structure -> Project Settings -> Project:
  • Shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S

• Add a new SDK, in case one is not available:

• In Add Python Interpreter window, select the following options:
  • Virtualenv Environment
  • Base interpreter: /usr/bin/python2.7
    • Simply copy the above mentioned location and paste it into Base interpreter, instead of searching for it!

• And that's it! IntelliJ will download virtualenv in the background. To test the installation, open a Terminal window:

  • Shortcut: Alt + F12

  

  • In an open Terminal window, click on +

  

• When everything was setup correctly, (venv) will show up at the start of the command:

  • With python --version the version of python being used can be checked
  • With which python the source of python can be verified

  

  • With deactivate the virtualenv can be deactivated

  

  • And by opening a new Terminal window the virtualenv is activated again

  

Adding run configuration

Now a run configuration can be added to further ease building blockly. Following are the steps for the same:

• Click on Run -> Edit configurations or as follows:

• Add a new run configuration by clicking on Add new run configuration:

• Select Python from the dropdown:

• Enter the following particulars in the next window:
  • Name: Build
  • script: build.py

• Click on Apply and OK and that's it! Now the created run configuration will show up as follows:

By clicking on the configuration will be run, which in turn generates the blockly resources (compressed and messages).