From the interactive Python shell, this will print the last N lines that you entered (default is 50). Useful when you've been working out a problem in the shell and now want to copy & paste the code into your program.

pythonTail.py

import readline
def history(tail_length=50):
    total = readline.get_current_history_length()
    for i in range(total - tail_length, total):
        print(readline.get_history_item(i + 1))

"""
Meant to be used from the Python interactive shell. The function will print the
last several lines of command history. Default is 50 lines.

I find it most useful when I am writing a program and testing the code in the interactive shell.
After I get the code working, I use this to show my recent history and then I copy / paste it into 
the IDE. Delete the mistakes from the IDE and you're all set!

USAGE EXAMPLES:
Print the last 100 lines of shell history to your screen:
>>>> history(100)

Print the last 50 lines:
>>>> history()
OR:
>>>> history(50)

Modified from a code snippet that I found here:
https://medium.com/@oalejel/printing-command-history-within-the-python-interactive-terminal-repl-simplified-5fd202c64880
"""