syntax error in first-time user script

[john polo]

I had a misconception of how the Python interpreter works. If I have a 
script, call it example.py, in order to run it, I shouldn't be in the 
interpreter? In other words, I should be at the Windows command prompt, 
for example

C:/test> python example.py

and not

 >>> python example.py

?

So, if I am already on >>> and have a problem with a script and need to 
edit it and want to run the script again, how do I do that? Do I exit 
the interpreter and start it again? Or is there a different way to run 
the script once the interpreter is active and I am at >>> ?

Cheers,
John