Looking for the best Python IDE to speed up your workflow? Well, here we have gathered Super Six Python IDEs which are specifically made for Python only to make sure you get the work done smoothly.
Before we start the list, let's understand what is Python IDE, its benefits, and how to choose the best IDE for your project.
What is a Python IDE?
A Python Integrated Development Environment (IDE) software application specialized for Python development tasks. True to its name, an IDE combines a range of tools tailored for the software development process. These tools commonly encompass:
- An editor equipped with features like syntax highlighting and auto-completion.
- Tools for building, executing, and debugging code.
- Support for version control systems.
IDE vs. Code Editor: What's the Core Difference?
An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is a comprehensive software tool that provides a complete development environment, including a code editor, debugger, and build automation tools. It's designed for more extensive development tasks, offering features like project management and integrated testing.
- Full-fledged software with a code editor.
- Includes features like debugging, build tools, and project management.
- Suitable for complex coding tasks and larger projects.
- Offers a comprehensive development environment.
On the other hand, a Code Editor is a simpler tool primarily focused on editing code. It lacks the advanced features of an IDE but provides a lightweight platform for writing and editing code, making it ideal for quick edits and smaller coding tasks.
- Lightweight tool for writing and editing code.
- Lacks advanced features like debugging and project management.
- Ideal for quick edits and smaller coding tasks.
- Focuses on code editing and simplicity.
Benefits of Using Python IDE:
- Efficient code writing and editing
- Streamlined debugging process
- Integrated build and execution tools
- Intelligent code completion
- Support for version control
- Project management features
- Enhanced productivity for developers
- Multi-language support
- Active community and plugin ecosystem
Essential Requirements for choosing the best Python IDE:
Following are some core features that make coding easier:
- Compatibility with your operating system
- Python version compatibility
- User-friendly and intuitive interface
- Robust code editor with features like syntax highlighting
- Debugging tools for error identification and correction
- Extensive library and plugin support
- Good documentation and community support
- Efficient project management capabilities
- Integration with version control systems like Git
- Performance and responsiveness on your hardware
In this collection, we'll explore the top Python IDEs in detail.
Top Python IDEs
As discussed above, an IDE is a software tool designed to empower computer programmers with comprehensive software development capabilities. Typically, IDEs encompass a source code editor, build automation tools, and a debugger.
Now, let's look at some of the most popular Python IDEs. Understand that different IDEs are meant for various purposes, so choose them as per your project needs.
Let's begin now..!!
IDLE
IDLE is Python’s Integrated Development and Learning Environment. It is coded in 100% pure Python, using the tkinter GUI toolkit, and works mostly the same on Windows, Unix, and macOS. Besides, it offers a multi-window text editor with multiple undo, Python colorizing, smart indent, call tips, auto-completion, and other features.
The most notable features of IDLE include:
- Ability to search for multiple files
- Smart indenting, along with basic text editor features
- Python shell window (interactive interpreter) with colorizing of code input, output, and error messages
- Search within any window, replace within editor windows, and search through multiple files (grep)
- Debugger with persistent breakpoints, stepping, and viewing of global and local namespaces
- Configuration, browsers, and other dialogs
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PyCharm
PyCharm is a powerful Python IDE that can help you write better code. It has a variety of features that can help you be more productive, including code completion, error checking, and refactoring. It also has a built-in debugger and test runner, so you can easily find and fix bugs in your code.
Most importantly, PyCharm supports Python development directly. So, you just need to open a new file and start writing code. Furthermore, you can also run and debug Python directly inside PyCharm, and it has support for source control and projects.
Notable Features:
- Syntax Highlighting
- Code Completion
- Code Navigation
- Refactoring
Visual Studio
Built by Microsoft, Visual Studio is a comprehensive Python editor that provides a range of features to help developers write and debug code more effectively. It includes syntax highlighting, autocompletion, code formatting, and refactoring, as well as support for debugging and unit testing. It also has a built-in REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop) that allows developers to test their code interactively.
Visual Studio is available for Windows and macOS only. It is a popular choice for Python developers due to its wide range of features and its extension support for a variety of platforms. Python Tools for Visual Studio (PTVS) enables Python coding in Visual Studio, as well as Intellisense for Python, debugging, and other tools.
Notable Features:
- A code editor that "knows your code" and can provide tooltips, completions, and code snippets
- Support for finding and installing third-party libraries
- The ability to interactively debug code on Windows and Linux
- Integration with Git for version control
- Support for unit testing
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Eclipse + PyDev
Eclipse is a well-known name in the IDEs. It works well with multiple OS like Linux, Windows, and macOS. Furthermore, Eclipse is an open-source IDE for Java development. Additionally, it also offers a rich marketplace of extensions and add-ons, which makes Eclipse useful for a wide range of development activities.
PyDev is one of the extensions, which enables Python debugging, code completion, and an interactive Python console.
The most notable features of PyDev are:
- Provides code completion, auto import, and code refactoring facilities.
- Allows for integration with Django.
- Incorporates a powerful debugger.
- Facilitates unit testing by providing Unittest integration.
- Supports code control with its Git integration.
Spyder
Spyder is an open-source Python IDE designed for data science workflows, and it comes bundled with the Anaconda package manager distribution, making it potentially pre-installed on your system.
Notably, Spyder is tailored for data scientists working with Python. This is evident in its seamless integration with essential Python data science libraries like SciPy, NumPy, and Matplotlib.
Spyder offers standard IDE features, including a feature-rich code editor with syntax highlighting, Python code completion, and an integrated documentation browser.
Notable Features:
- It analyzes code to provide automatic code completion, horizontal/vertical splitting, and a go-to-definition.
- Specifically designed for data scientists; hence, it integrates well with data science libraries like NumPy.
- Allows you to run the IPython console.
- It includes a powerful debugger.
Thonny
A more recent addition to the Python IDE family, Thonny is billed as an IDE for beginners. Written and maintained by the Institute of Computer Science at the University of Tartu in Estonia, Thonny is available for all major platforms, with installation instructions on the site.
By default, Thonny installs with its own bundled version of Python, so you don’t need to install anything else new. More experienced users may need to tweak this setting so that Thonny will find and use libraries that are already installed.
Notable Features:
- Line numbers.
- Statement stepping without breakpoints.
- Live variables during debugging.
- Stepping through the evaluation of the expressions
- Separate windows for executing function calls
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Python IDEs offer a diverse range of features and tools, catering to the varied needs of developers. From beginner-friendly options to advanced environments, there's a Python IDE for everyone. Choosing the right one depends on your specific project and preferences. Remember that the Python development landscape is dynamic, so it's worth exploring these IDEs to find the one that best aligns with your coding style and workflow.
In summary, Python IDEs have evolved to streamline development, boost productivity, and enhance the overall coding experience. Whether you prioritize simplicity, versatility, or specialized features, there's an IDE that matches your requirements. Make an informed choice, considering factors like your project's scope, your level of expertise, and the type of development you're involved in. These IDEs are valuable tools in the Python ecosystem, empowering developers to write efficient, error-free code.
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