What is Python IDE? Five IDEs for Python Developers you must Know

You can write Python code by using IDEs or Python Shell that can turn larger programming projects into smaller codes. An IDE or integrated development environment can make the coding fun, but you may have to choose anyone IDE that you find suitable.

There is myriad of development environments available and you can choose any of your preference. We cannot say here which IDE will suit your need or requirement, but the pros and cons associated with any IDE can help you in selecting the best one for you.

Here, in this blog, we have discussed mostly used Python IDE that is divided into two categories, one of them is only used by the Python developers and other in general that can be used for many other languages as well. Here, the IDEs are listed in the way so that it can be used by anyone and endless number of times.

Introduction to Code Editors and IDE

IDEs or integrated development environments are dedicated to software development. Several tools are integrated into software development IDE that usually includes the following features:

• An editor that can handle code and its related tasks like syntax highlighting and auto-completion
• Source Control task
• Building, debugging, and execution of the code
• The IDE is an extraordinary text editor that makes the overall development job easier for anyone.
• There are a plenty of editing functions that are specific to the language.
• This is very fast and comfortable in use.
• The Python IDE also work as an interpreter sometimes.

PyCharm is one of the popular Python IDEs that is frequently used by developers and offers the endless range of benefits to the developers and programmers. Here is the download link of PyCharm Python IDE - http://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download/ Starting Python is easy with the command line, you just need to run the Python command and it will get started. With the # sign, you can add the comment and $ sign helps you in starting the terminal.

Many IDEs support a number of programming languages that may contain many features. So, they are usually large IDEs and it takes time to download them. Moreover, you may also need extra knowledge to install and use these tools.

Read: Python Certifications Guide - Types, Exam Details, Preparation Tips

While there are some code editors also in the market that are simpler to use and have code formatting and syntax highlighting like capabilities. These code editors can execute code and control the debugger. Some best code editors can interact with the system and control the code as well. Code editors are usually smaller than IDEs and have fewer features too.

Features of a Good Python Environment

Though you may need many features in IDE when it will be about to develop Python app with the help of an editor, there are a few of the core features that can make coding easier and fun these are listed below:

• Debugging Support: The editor must support debugging with the help of which you can step through the code when it runs, it is a required core feature for all IDEs and code editors.
• Reloading and Saving of Code Files: Your code editor or IDE must allow you to save the code file, even the same state may be required if you want to have a perfect editor.
• Syntax Highlighting: Keywords, variables, and symbols must be quickly spotted that can make the code reading and writing easier
• Automatic Code Formatting: Syntax correction or automatic code editing is an expected and most appreciable feature of any IDE, so if your editor is providing automatic editing feature then it will surely help you.
• Run Code from within Editor: Your editor must allow you to run or execute the code from within the editor

Most Popular Python Editors and IDEs

1). Eclipse + PyDev IDE for python

All open source language developers are much aware with Eclipse. Eclipse is available for Linux, Windows OS and basically, this IDE is used by the Java developers. A number of add-ons and extensions are available for Eclipse that is useful for a wide range of development activities.

PyDev is an extension of Eclipse that enables Python debugging and code completion easier and provides an interactive development environment. You must have Eclipse installed in your system if you want to use PyDev. To install the PyDev in Eclipse, select Help -> Eclipse Marketplace and search for PyDev. Now, click install and restart Eclipse if required.

Pros and Cons of PyDev

If you are an existing Eclipse user then you may find it easier and good to use PyDev, as it will provide you with a familiar environment too.

For new programmers, it may be difficult to handle PyDev, as it is an IDE and has lots of features so for new programmers it may be difficult to understand it.

Read: Python Developer Salary for Beginners & Seniors - Know How Much to Ask!

2). Sublime Text Code Editor for python

Sublime is a Google engineer code editor that is much popular among code editors, that is supported by all platforms. The code editor has built-in support for Python language and has rich extension sets that can be used to edit features and extend the syntaxes. As all Python extensions are written in Python itself so in order to run and install these extensions you must have knowledge of Python scripting.

Pros and Cons of Sublime Editor

Sublime is used and preferred by many editors and is supported by many community members as it is a small, fast and well-supported editor.

On the other hand, it is not a free editor though you can use its evaluation version freely and for the indefinite time with limited features. It may be harder to install the extensions and the code cannot be directly executed and debugged from within the editor.

3). Visual Studio IDE and Visual Studio Code Editor for python

Microsoft Visual Studio is a featured IDE and is comparable to Eclipse. This IDE is built for Windows and Mac OS. Visual Studio comes as free or paid versions, it can be used to develop the system for a variety of platforms and have its own extensions and marketplace.

Visual Studio code editor is also available that is a code editor and can be used by Linux, Windows or Mac OS X platforms as shown in the figure below: Due to Electron VS code is available for every platform and is an open source editor. VS code is not a native app.

4). PyCharm IDE for python

It is one of the most used and featured IDE for Python users that is available free and in paid versions. PyCharm can be easily installed by Windows, Linux or MacOS X. Python development is directly supported by PyCharm. The code can be run and debugged directly from within the platform or IDE. It supports projects and source control both. This Python environment has a ton of supportive communities and extensions. You can run, edit and debug the code from within the environment. Being an IDE, it can be very slow for the projects.

Read: What is the Average Salary of a Python Developer in the USA?

5). Thonny IDE for python

Thonny IDE is a new one that is provided for the new programmers and is maintained by the Institute of computer science at the University of Tartu in Estonia. It is available for all platforms along with installation instruction. As it is being installed with its own version, so nothing is needed to be installed separately.  All required libraries are pre-installed on this. For beginners, it is one of the best IDE but the experienced developers may find it a basic IDE that has a built-in interpreter. Moreover, as it is a new tool so you may find some issues with it as well.

Choose your developer IDE wisely

There are plenty of editors and you should choose the one for you wisely:

• New Python developers of beginners must choose the IDE or editor with minimum customization requirement. That can fit their requirement.
• If you are using text editors for documentation and other tasks then this time try code editors that may suit your requirement.
• Moreover, if you are developing other software, then it may be easy for you to use Python with your existing tool.

Final Words:

Choosing a suitable and appropriate editor or IDE will totally depend on your experience and requirement. If you are a beginner and do not want to use it extensively then you may use a code editor from the above-listed tools of or any other, while for the experienced Python developers it is recommended that they should choose IDEs as they have the debugging and coding features that may be required while developing any software or the project.

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