For the python scripts that Gerald Q. "Chip" Maguire Jr. has written it is necessary to have a config.json file of the form:

{
    "canvas":{
        "access_token": "xxxx",
	"host": "xxx.instructure.com"
    }
}

Where xxxx is your access token. To get the token (abbreviated as "xxxx" in the above) you login to Canvas, then go to your Account, then Settings page. Near the bottom of the page you will see an large button marked "New access token" and if you have previously pushed the button you will see earlier tokens you have generated. When you press this button a new access token is generated. Make note of this - as you will need to use it to access Canvas via programs.

xxx.instructure.com is your Canvas web site. Note that it might also be of the form: xxx.test.instructure.com or even xxx.beta.instructure.com, to access the test and beta version of the Canvas website for your institution.

An advantage of making such a config.json file is that (1) you can add other information to it in the future and (2) you do not risk disclosing your token when you share your programs/scripts.