IPython.embed_kernel() fails to capture scope in newly defined functions when run in top-level exception handler

[ebanner]

Consider the following program.

def catch(exctype, value, tb):
    import IPython
    IPython.embed_kernel()

import sys
sys.excepthook = catch

raise Exception

I am unable to define subsequent functions which reference variables defined outside the body in a jupyter console --existing session. For example

In [1]: xxx = 5

In [2]: def foo():
      :     xxx
      : 

In [3]: foo()
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NameError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
~/foo.py in <module>()
----> 1 foo()

~/foo.py in foo()
      1 def foo():
----> 2     xxx
      3 

NameError: name 'xxx' is not defined

Is this a bug or a limitation of IPython.embed_kernel() when it is put as a top-level exception handler? For instance if I put IPython.embed_kernel() anywhere else I am able to define functions which reference variables defined outside of the body.

My IPython version is 6.2.1 and my version of jupyter console is 5.2.0.

[takluyver]

This is a known limitation - see #62.

[ebanner]

Thanks for the link! Lots of discussion about this and it looks like there is at least one workaround. I'll try it.