Python is a widely used programming language which is easy to learn. It’s relatively easy to get started with learning Python so it has gained popularity among beginners. But there are lots of different code editors available for users which can be confusing for them.
The purpose of this article is to find the best Python IDE or code editor for Android, which will provide all kinds of useful features that an Android coder might need when programming Python.
UltraEdit
UltraEdit is one of the best and most versatile text editors for Mac out there. For starters, UltraEdit supports a ton of different languages including C, Objective C, Javascript, XML, PHP, Perl, Python, and more. Just like BBEdit, UltraEdit has been around since ages and is celebrating its 25 year’s anniversary this year. So reliability is not a concern here. The software brings tons of features including and not limited to themes support, support for large files (>4GB), syntax highlighting for multiple languages, multi-caret editing, multi-selection capabilities, a very robust search, integrated FTP, support for 4K and Apple Retina display, and more.
UltraEdit is a very capable text editor, however, if you need more features, you can buy it with other Ultra products like UltraCompare, UltraEdit Suite, UltraFinder, and IDM All Access, all of which bring additional features. Finally, do note that UltraEdit is not cheap and is one of the costliest text editors out there. However, there is a 30-day free trial which you can use to get a feel for the software before springing up the money.
Pros
- Supports most languages
- Handles large files very well
- Reliable and regularly updated
- Fast and easy to use
Cons:
- Pricey
- Some features available to purchase separately
Download: (Free Trial, $99.95 – comes with UltraCompare)
TextMate 2.0
TextMate bridges UNIX underpinnings and GUI by cherry-picking the best of both worlds so that it can be used by experts and novices alike. It brings enough project management features to keep most users happy, but is otherwise very lightweight and has a clean and minimalist GUI. Features of TextMate include the ability to research and replace the code in projects, auto-pairing of brackets and other characters, column selection and typing, recordable macros with no programming requirement, syntax highlighting for multiple languages, and more.
TextMate also works with Xcode and can build Xcode projects. One of the best things about TextMate is that it comes with extensive documentation and video library which should easily get users started. If you want a no-nonsense text editor, TextMate is the one for you.
Pros:
- Works with Xcode
- Open-source
- Lightweight
- Handles packages well
Cons:
- Only macOS
- Development not very reliable
Download: (Free Trial, $56.25)
CodeRunner 2
Just like Textastic, CodeRunner 2 is a very affordable text editor which has been specifically designed for Macs. CodeRunner 2 supports a large number of languages and delivers big IDE features while remaining lightweight and clutter-free. Some of its features include full-blown IDE-level code completion, support for 23 different languages, support for multi-file projects, breakpoints and debugging support, theme support, file and symbol navigator, automatic indentation support, intelligent bracket matching, and more. CodeRunner 2 brings a powerful text-editor in a simple to understand package which is good for beginners and experts alike.
Pros:
- Supports various languages
- Clean UI
- Customizable
- Packs in necessary IDE features
Cons:
- Does not play well with big projects
- Not as feature rich
Download: (Free trial, $14.99)
4. BBEdit
Like Coda, BBEdit is also an Apple-centric text editor which only Apple users can use. BB is the abbreviation for Bare Bones which resembles the interface and UI of the platform. The platform comes with premium features like GIR integration and Code Folding.
You can choose to use the editor for 30 days for free after which get ready to pay $49.99 every month for the Premium version.
Best Text Editor for Programming Linux
GNU Emacs
GNU Emacs is a text/code editor for Linux professionals created by Richard Stallman, the founder of the GNU project. Emacs allows you to write code, display a manual, or draft an email from the same interface.
Pros: It has content-aware editing modes, extensive documentation and a tutorial, incredible language support, and a package manager for extensions. It also offers cross-compatibility with other GNU apps, including an organizer, mail app, calendar, and debugger.
Cons: It’s not for everyone. You might choose Emacs if you have multiple different tasks and want a standard interface. It’s designed for the Linux power user, so if that’s you, it’s worth a try.
How to Install
Install GNU Emacs with the following command:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kelleyk/emacssudo apt updatesudo apt install emacs26
Notepadqq
Notepadqq is a Linux editor inspired by the Notepad++ application for Windows. Even though different developers manage the projects, Notepadqq is a fair replica of Notepad++.
Pros: Notepadqq supports tabbed projects, color-coded syntax, syntax highlighting, auto-tabbing, and a good search-and-replace feature. It has a smart-indent feature that remembers the indentation settings of the last line typed. Another strong point is how efficiently it converts files between various types of character encoding.
Cons: Notepadqq supports over 100 languages but if you compare it to other text editors, Notepadqq’s set of features might seems lacking. It opens any text file though it doesn’t do tag matching or auto-completion.
How to Install
Install Notepadqq with the following command:
sudo snap install --classic notepadqq
Note: Most modern Linux distributions support Snap. If you’re running CentOS (or another Linux distribution without Snap), you’ll need to install the Snap app first.
Brackets
Brackets is a Linux editor designed around HTML and web design. It’s a cross-platform editor so that you can run it on Windows, Mac, or Linux for a seamless editing experience.
Pros: Brackets is a great choice for web developers. It includes live-preview for testing the appearance of your HTML code, plus inline editors. Like many other editors, it supports many extensions to add functionalities.
Cons: Brackets may stutter on older computer systems. Natively, it only supports HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You can add more with extensions, though.
How to Install
Install Brackets with the following command:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/bracketssudo apt-get updatesudo apt-get install brackets
Bluefish Text Editor
The bluefish text editor is aimed at making coding more accessible. It works on most platforms so that you can use it on Linux, Mac, or Windows.
Pros: Bluefish can be enhanced with plugins and supports standard features like color-coded syntax, auto-indent, and auto-complete for tags and classes. It also features an auto-recover option, in case of a power outage or system crash. It organizes data and code in a way that’s intuitive and easy to read.
Cons: Bluefish is not updated regularly and is already getting a bit outdated. It is useful if you are new to writing code or editing configuration files. However, some advanced features are tough to find, and the UI is not optimized for advanced users.
How to Install
Install Bluefish by executing the following command:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:klaus-vormweg/bluefishsudo apt-get updatesudo apt-get install bluefish
Geany
Geany works as a text editor, but its primary function is as an Integrated Desktop Environment (IDE). It is a lightweight GUI text editor with basic IDE features. Its primary purpose is to be tight and compact with short load times and limited dependencies on separate packages or external libraries on Linux.
Pros: It is a compact cross-platform, flexible and powerful editor that supports most programming languages. It is customizable with plugins, and features a split window, colored syntax, line numbering, and autocomplete.
Cons: Not everyone will need IDE features, meaning that Geany is focused on coding from scratch and debugging issues. Use Geany if you need full programming functionality, including the editor, build automation, and debugging all accessible from a single interface.
How to Install
Install Geany with the following command:
sudo apt-get updatesudo apt-get install geany
gVim
The gVim text editor is an enhanced version of Vi and Vim.
Pros: If you’re already familiar with Vi and Vim, you’ll appreciate the added functionality of gVim. The options include encryption, pop-out menus, and cross-platform compatibility. gVim handles huge files better than other text editors. Another handy feature is that gVim uses a different cursor for insert and command modes.
Cons: The gVim editor requires a graphical interface, making it unavailable on systems that run without a GUI. Like Vi and Vim, gVim has a steep learning curve, so if you’re not familiar with the Vi/Vim editor, gVim might not be the best choice.
Neovim
As the name suggests, Neovim is another editor based on Vi/Vim. Neovim aims to update the Vim-style editor with modern features, such as compatibility with other applications.
Pros: Like other Vi/Vim-based editors, Neovim uses the same basic commands. It adds robust support for plugins and integration with other applications. It was designed to be faster and use less memory, making it an excellent choice for resource-conscious users. Neovim also includes a terminal emulator, which allows you to run terminal commands from the interface.
Cons: Some users report that, despite the improvements, switching between insert and command mode slows their input. It’s also not available on many older systems. Although Neovim is much more customizable, personalization can be time-consuming. Finally, like other Vi/Vim-based editors, there is a steep learning curve to use Neovim effectively.
Conclusion
A lot of people have more interest in coding, so it is more important to use a code editor to create the code. In this time it is best to be using a code editor.