[issue39927] IDLE 3.8.2 doesn't launch on Catalina 10.15.3- HELP Service exited with abnormal code: 1

[Ned Deily]

Ned Deily <nad at python.org> added the comment:

That message just means that Python terminated with an error; the specific traceback is lost.

But I just noticed one possible explanation. It appears that if the Files & Folder security setting is set to disallow access to your Documents Folder, IDLE.app will fail on startup but it will launch from the command line. Check the following in System Preferences.

Apple Menu (upper left corner) -> System Preferences -> Security & Privacy.
Then click on the Privacy tab, scroll to and click on Files and Folders, then look for a Python.app (not IDLE.app) entry.  It should have a Documents Folder entry underneath it and it should be checked (enabled). If not, click it (you might need to click on the lock in the lower left corner to enable changes).

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Python tracker <report at bugs.python.org>
<https://bugs.python.org/issue39927>
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