Python is a general-purpose programming language that is ideally used for creating an expert or specialized software for a wide range of fields. Its versatility and richness in the form of various resources make it possible to get a suitable IDE for Python, something that is compatible with all the requirements.
In this article, we will try to highlight some of the best IDEs available for Python which can help you get your job done effectively.
IDLE:
IDLE is written completely in Python and it comes as a default implementation along with Python. Its name is presumed to be in honor of Eric Idle who is one of the founding members of Monty Python. This IDE is considered to be extremely suitable for the education industry due to its simplicity.
IDLE also provides some remarkable features such as:
- Availability of python shell with syntax highlighting
- A multi-window text editor
- Program animation or stepping (refers to executing one line of code at a time)
- Breakpoints are available to ease debugging
- Call stack is clearly visible
Now that you have got an idea of the important IDEs for Python, let’s move ahead to choose the most suitable one for you.
Pydev
Platform: GNU/Linux/macOS/Windows/Solaris
Official website: https://www.eclipse.org/; http://pydev.org/
Type: IDE
Eclipse is an integrated development environment (IDE) historically designed for the Java language. Still, thanks to a system of plugins or extensions, it can be used with other programming languages, including C/C++ and PHP. Pydev is a plugin that allows Eclipse to be used as a Python IDE that also supports Jython and IronPython. Pydev uses advanced inference techniques to provide elements such as code completion and code analysis. The IDE also provides the following features: debugger, Django, an interactive console, basic syntax highlighting, code coverage, etc. It is one of the best Ide for python and Best Python Editor too.
Pydev is free, platform-independent, and promotes excellent integrity with the Eclipse universe. Thanks to the efforts of the developers and the evolution of technology, python development has become almost comparable to Java development on Eclipse, making the experience much more impressive and exceptional.
Advantage:
- Easy to learn and also includes several features (CPython, Jython, IronPython)
- The Pydev plugin to code in Python on Eclipse
- Code Completion and Code Analysis
Disadvantage:
- User interfaces not very enriching.
Atom (CE)
Atom is a more out-of-the-box ready open-source CE that strikes a balance between Sublime’s performance/customization and a short setup time. Atom has a sleek look and is powered by Electron front-end framework, a tool for building desktop apps using JS, CSS, and HTML.
Atom has built-in support for beloved features like automatic code completion and find/replace. It is made by Github and can be easily integrated with Github and Git using built-in tools.
Atom features user plugins but allows you to quickly pick and integrate them hassle-free via Atom’s free package marketplace. This marketplace lets you browse the most popular plugins to expand or fine-tune Atom to your needs.
Atom’s main downside is that it is unpolished compared to other CEs. It has seen substantial updates since launch but still crashes occasionally. Unfortunately, updates have noticeably slowed since Microsoft acquired Github in 2018.
Pros:
- Usable out of the box
- Lightweight and Customizable through plugins
- Easy plugin integration
Cons:
- Slow startup time
- Still comparatively unpolished with performance issues
- Runs as a JavaScript process
- Some essential features (debugger, code building, etc) must be added via a plugin
Use Case:
You’re a multi-language developer who wants a free CE with extensive customization but doesn’t want to spend too much time fine-tuning it.
Codespaces (CE)
Developed by Microsoft and released in May of 2020, Codespaces is a new cloud-based cross-platform CE usable entirely in your browser. It includes a browser-based text editor and support for Git repositories, extensions, and a built-in command-line interface. It is even usable offline and will update once an internet connection is reestablished.
Codespaces can either be launched directly from Github or through a local install of Visual Studio. Codespaces is currently free but will include a paid option in the future.
Codespaces browser-based approach allows you to work from anywhere on any internet capable device. This makes it excellent for team projects because you no longer need to have a shared tool or pass around file copies.
The biggest downside of Codespaces is that it is new and unrefined. As with any new product, you could easily find a bug that doesn’t have a fix yet.
Pros:
- Good for team projects
- Usable anywhere on any device
- No install or setup
- Integrated with Github from the ground up
Cons:
- New and unpredictable – 5 workspaces limit
- Limited customization
Use Case:
You’re a developer that often works on collaborative projects or contributes to open-source projects and don’t mind limited customization options.
PyCharm
PyCharm is an IDE made by the folks at JetBrain, a team responsible for one of the most famous Java IDE, the IntelliJ IDEA.
You should try it out because… PyCharm is perfect for those who already have experience using another JetBrain’s IDE, due to the fact that the interface and features be similar. Also, if you like IPython or Anaconda distribution, it’s nice for you to know that PyCharm integrates its tools and libraries such as NumPy and Matplotlib, allowing you work with array viewers and interactive plots.
In addition to Python, PyCharm provides support for JavaScript, HTML/CSS, Angular JS, Node.js, and so on, what makes it a good option for web development.
Features Just like other IDEs, PyCharm has interesting features such as a code editor, errors highlighting, a powerful debugger with a graphical interface, besides of Git integration, SVN, and Mercurial. You can also customize your IDE, choosing between different themes, color schemes, and key-binding. Additionally, you can expand PyCharm’s features by adding plugins; You can take a look at the PyCharm Plugins Library here.
Data science enthusiasts say…
“I have tried most of the popular IDE’s for Python and hands down the best one in my opinion is PyCharm. It has a very nice debugger, plays nicely with git, and works easily with the use of multiple Python versions with virtualenv. Reindexing is relatively fast, and I like the interface. The community version is free and does not at all feel like it is lacking.”
Download You can download the Lightweight PyCharm IDE for Python and scientific development for free here. It’s available for free for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Visual Studio (IDE)
Visual Studio is a general IDE that supports Python through a plugin called Python Tools for Visual Studio (PTVS). Visual Studio has extensive features, with built-in support for Git, a built-in terminal, comprehensive unit test tools. It also has an extension marketplace similar to Atom.
Visual Studio also comes with Intellisense, widely considered to be one of the best autocompletion systems available to developers today. You can also add plugins to allow support for web dev tools like Flask or Django.
The download is quite large but is worth it if you use it for multiple languages. There is a free version (Community) and paid versions (Business/Enterprise) that offer extra perks like customer support and DevOps tools.
Visual Studio also has a lightweight CE called Visual Studio Code (VS Code).
Pros:
- Full of features off the bat
- Usable for many platforms and languages
- Easy to add plugins
- Intellisense autocomplete
Cons:
- Extra resources behind a paywall
- Heavy footprint for use with just Python
- Not available for Linux operating system
Use Case:
You’re a dedicated developer who changes languages regularly, wants to learn one tool for all your programming needs, and aren’t too interested in visual customizations.
Sublime Text 3 (CE)
Sublime Text is a highly responsive code editor used by thousands of developers. Sublime text supports multiple versions of Python and allows you to set your version for each project.
Sublime is nearly unbeatable in speed, with all but the largest files opening instantly. Sublime’s other call to fame is its extreme customization through user-built plug-in packages.
These plugins let you change nearly anything about the code editor, from appearance to error finding, code completion, additional language support, and more. More plugins are added each day, meaning Sublime is potentially one of the most updated tools available.
The main downside of Sublime is its $80 cost.
Pros:
- Highly customizable through plugins
- Unmatched speed
- Great for working on multiple projects at once
Cons:
- $80 price
- Vanilla version missing features
- Complicated to add plugins
Use Case:
You’re a long time coder who wants a customizable but lightweight tool for all your favorite programming languages and are not afraid to take time to set it up.
GNU/Emacs
Platform: Linux/macOS/Windows
Official website: https://www.gnu.org
Type: Text editor
Created in 1976 by Richard Stallman, Emacs (Editing MACroS running on TECO) is a family of text editors with an extensible set of features. This free software is very popular with the developer community.
Richard Stallman insisted on the fact that the software must be completely free and customizable without any restriction in programming. After a few years, many versions of Emacs have appeared, including GNU Emacs, initiated by Richard Stallman in 1984 and XEmacs launched in 1991. GNU Emacs uses a powerful extension language called Emacs Lisp that supports advanced tasks such as writing, compiling programs, surfing the Internet, reading email, and discussion forums.
This software is available for free download and is available on all platforms. GNU Emacs uses various customization scripts for development in several languages, including Python.
For Python development, you can use the Elpy extension on Emacs to work with Python projects. This software is very feature-rich. Among its many features, we can mention the highlighting of syntax to differentiate document elements such as keywords and comments; Automatic indentation to have consistent formatting in a file, etc.
Advantage :
- Free and fully customizable software.
- Automatic insertion of elements required by the document structure, such as spaces, newlines, and brackets;
- 24-bit color encoded support for the terminals supporting it
Disadvantage:
- Not easy to use for beginners in programming
Conclusion
PyCharm is a good IDE for Python. It is the only free Python IDE in my opinion, with auto-completion, syntax highlighting, intelligent refactoring, debugging capabilities, terminal inside the IDE and many others features.