Program coding with the help of Python using IDLE or the Python Shell is good for simple, easier things, but these tools swiftly turn larger programming projects into annoying pits of despair. Utilizing an IDE, or using a great code editor, makes coding fun, however which one is best for you?
To make things easier to understand, we categorize our list broadly into two categories of tools: First that builds exclusively for Python development (Python-Specific Editors and IDEs) and the Second that builds for general development (General Editors and IDEs with Python Support).
What Are Code Editors and IDEs?
An IDE (or Integrated Development Environment) is a software suite that combines basic tools for development used by programmers to write and test software. These basic tools include:
• An editor designed to handle code
• Build, execution, and debugging tools
• Some form of source control
In contrast, a code editor is as simple as a text editor having capabilities such as syntax highlighting and code formatting. Most good code editors can execute code and control a debugger. As Compared to an IDE, a code editor is smaller in size and faster, but with less feature.
Python-specific Editors and IDEs
1. PyCharm
PyCharm is an IDE, used in coding, especially for the Python language. JetBrains, a Czech company developed it. It comes in two editions: Professional Edition and Community Edition. PyCharm is cross platform with Windows, Linux, and macOS versions. It supports Python, JavaScript, CoffeeScript, TypeScript, CSS, popular template languages and more. This IDE combines with IPython Notebook and gives a solution that has benefits of an intelligent Python IDE. It provides more than 50 plug-ins of various nature that includes additional VCS, frameworks, tools, integration, editor enhancers etc. We can access directly MySql, SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL and other databases from the IDE.
2. Spyder
It is an open-source Python IDE. It is designed specifically for the people who want to work with data science workflows, as it integrates with data sciences libraries such as SciPy, NumPy, and Matplotlib. It comes inclusive with Anaconda package manager distribution. It has a “variable explorer” that allows us to display data using a table-based layout right inside your IDE. It is available for free on Windows, macOS, and Linux and that it is fully open-source software.
3. Thonny
A new inclusion to the Python IDE family, Thonny is 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- Windows, macOS, and Linux, 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. Some features- Faithful representation of function calls, simple debugger, easily highlights syntax errors, easily explains scopes. If we use small steps, then we can even see how Python evaluates our expressions.
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