Tkinter Entry's get Function: Understanding Usage and Timing

In Tkinter, the Entry widget allows users to provide textual input. To retrieve this input, one commonly uses the get() function. However, unexpected behavior can arise if the get() function is called prematurely.

Getting Input: Timing Matters

The issue with the example code provided is that the get() function is invoked before the GUI elements are displayed on the screen. This occurs after the mainloop() call.

Solution: Utilizing a Button

To access user input after it has been typed in, it is recommended to add a button that triggers the get() function upon clicking. Implementing this in a class-based application simplifies the process, as demonstrated below:

import tkinter as tk

class SampleApp(tk.Tk):
    def __init__(self):
        tk.Tk.__init__(self)
        self.entry = tk.Entry(self)
        self.button = tk.Button(self, text="Get", command=self.on_button)
        self.button.pack()
        self.entry.pack()

    def on_button(self):
        print(self.entry.get())

app = SampleApp()
app.mainloop()

Usage and Expected Behavior

Run the program, type into the entry field, and then click the button labeled "Get." The text entered will be printed in the console. This demonstrates the correct timing for using the get() function, ensuring that the input is available when needed.