=======================================
     pydoc -- Online help for Python modules
     =======================================
     
     .. module:: pydoc
         :synopsis: Online help for Python modules
     
     :Purpose: Generates help for Python modules and classes from the code.
     :Python Version: 2.1 and later
     
     The :mod:`pydoc` module imports a Python module and uses the contents
     to generate help text at runtime. The output includes docstrings for
     any objects that have them, and all of the documentable contents of
     the module are described.
     
     Plain Text Help
     ===============
     
     Running::
     
         $ pydoc atexit
     
     Produces plaintext help on the console, using your pager if one is
     configured.
     
     HTML Help
     =========
     
     You can also cause :mod:`pydoc` to generate HTML output, either
     writing a static file to a local directory or starting a web server to
     browse documentation online.
     
     ::
     
         $ pydoc -w atexit
     
     Creates ``atexit.html`` in the current directory.
     
     ::
     
         $ pydoc -p 5000
     
     Starts a web server listening at http://localhost:5000/. The server
     generates documentation as you browse through the available modules.
     
     Interactive Help
     ================
     
     pydoc also adds a function ``help()`` to the ``__builtins__`` so you
     can access the same information from the Python interpreter prompt.
     
     ::
     
         $ python
         Python 2.6.2 (r262:71600, Apr 16 2009, 09:17:39) 
         [GCC 4.0.1 (Apple Computer, Inc. build 5250)] on darwin
         Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
         >>> help('atexit')
         Help on module atexit:
     
         NAME
             atexit
     
         FILE
             /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.6/lib/python2.6/atexit.py
         ...
     
     .. seealso::
     
         `pydoc <http://docs.python.org/library/pydoc.html>`_
             The standard library documentation for this module.
     
         :ref:`motw-cli`
             Accessing the Module of the Week articles from the command line.
         
         :ref:`motw-interactive`
             Accessing the Module of the Week articles from the interactive interpreter.