Python is an open source programming language that can be used to develop a wide range of applications. It is an object oriented language, which allows developers to use programming paradigms like Python. The Python IDE helps you to write codes fast making your development easier.
There are many good Python editors available for free on the internet, which you can use on different platforms. Let’s have a look at some of these free Python IDEs for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux platform on what makes them unique and how they differ from each other. Let’s see what suit you best!
Repl.it
The idea behind Repl.it is to let you focus on coding by letting the platform take care of setting up the environment.
Once you complete the registration, you can create an environment with a click. There is a huge number of languages to choose from. In this demonstration, let us go ahead with Python.
When you select an environment, the window that opens is divided into three columns — the file system, the text editor and an interpreter on the terminal. You can resize them to focus on the part of the project you are concentrating on.
Repl.it environment
From the left menu, you can also select the packages that you would like to work with in your current project. There is even a multiplayer option on Repl.it that makes it useful for collaboration! When you activate it, you can create a URL with a potential collaborator to either contribute to or view the status of the project in real time.
Repl.it collaboration
Wing
Type: IDE
Price: US $ 95 to US $ 179 PER USER FOR COMMERCIAL USE.
Platform Support: WINDOWS, LINUX, MAC OS etc.
Screenshots For Reference:
Wing is also a popular and powerful IDE in today’s market with a lot of good features which the developers require for python development.
It comes with a strong debugger and smart editor that makes the interactive Python development speed, accurate and fun to perform. Wing also provides a 30-day trial version for the developers to have a taste on its features.
Best Features:
- Wing helps in moving around the code with go-to-definition, find the uses and symbol’s in the application, edit symbol index, source browser, and effective multiple-file search.
- It supports the test-driven development with unit test, pytest, and Django testing framework.
- It assists remote development and is customizable and extensible too.
- It also has auto code completion, the error is displayed in a feasible manner and line editing is also possible.
Pros:
- In case of expiration of trial version, Wing provides around 10 minutes to the developers to migrate their application.
- It has a source browser which helps to show all the variables which are used in the script.
- Wing IDE provides an additional exception handling tab which helps a developer to debug the code.
- It provides an extract function which is under the refactor panel and is also a good help for the developers for increasing performance.
Cons:
- It is not capable of supporting dark themes which many developers like to use.
- Wing interface can be intimidating at the starting and the commercial version is way too expensive.
Official URL: Wing
Codenvy
Codenvy is another cloud-based IDE that lets you configure your development environment, write your code within the platform and then execute it. In this demonstration, let us create a PHP-based environment.
In Codenvy, a development environment in the cloud is called a workspace. After registration, you need to first create a workspace with a pre-defined stack. Stacks include popular programming languages like PHP, Python, Go and Rails with a 3GB of RAM in the free tier. Teams with up to three developers can also use the free plan.
Create a workspace on Codenvy
Once you create a workspace, the functionality is similar to Repl.it. Your work area is divided into the file management, text editor and terminal. Unlike Repl.it, you are able to use Unix commands in the terminal rather than just the Python interpreter to debug your code.
Sample PHP project in Codenvy
Codenvy also lets you import a project from GitHub or clone a repository from a remote location. Further, Codenvy also lets you share your project with collaborators in real time.
Eric Python
Type: IDE.
Price: Open Source.
Platform Support: WINDOWS, LINUX, MAC OS etc.
Screenshots For Reference:
Eric is powerful and is rich in feature Python IDE and editor which is developed in Python itself. Eric can be used on the daily activity purpose or for the professional developers as well.
It is developed on cross-platform QT toolkit which is integrated with flexible Scintilla editor. Eric has an integrated plugin system which provides a simple extension to the IDE functions.
Best Features:
- ERIC has many editors, configurable window layout, source code folding and call tips, error high lighting, and advanced search functions.
- It has an advanced project management facility, integrated class browser, version control, cooperation functions, and source code.
- It offers cooperation’s functions, inbuilt debugger, inbuilt task management, profiling and code coverage support.
- It supports application diagram’s, syntax highlighting and auto code completion feature.
Pros:
- ERIC allows integrated support for unittest, CORBA and google protobuf.
- It has a lot of wizards for regex, QT dialogs, and tools for previewing QT forms and translations by making the developer’s task easier.
- It supports web browsers and has a spell check library which avoids errors.
- It also supports localization and has a rope refactoring tool for development.
Cons:
- ERIC installation becomes clumsy sometimes and it does not have a simple and easy GUI.
- When the developers try to integrate too many plugins the productivity and performance of the IDE decreases.
Official URL: Eric Python
Google Cloud Shell
Google Cloud Shell is a terminal in the cloud that you can run through a browser. Cloud Shell comes pre-installed with a variety of popular libraries and services such as Docker, Python, Git and VIM. It provides 5GB of storage space in your home directory.
Google Cloud Shell is a complete solution for a developer without a local development environment. If you use a Chromebook, this option should take care of most of your development needs.
Google Cloud Shell terminal
Google Cloud Shell also provides you with a GUI-based text editor if you are not comfortable with terminal text editors like VIM and Emacs. To fire up the text editor with a file system viewer, use the edit icon in the top right of the terminal.
Google Cloud Shell GUI text editor
Though you can use Git to synchronize your files in the terminal, you also have an option to upload or download files through the file system that is shown on the left. Further, the public beta allows you to create a shell from a docker image.
Overall, Google Cloud Shell seems to be a viable option for use as a primary development environment. With frequent changes to the product, you should definitely give it a try.
Rodeo
Type: IDE.
Price: Open Source.
Platform Support: WINDOWS, LINUX, Mac OS etc.
Screenshots For Reference:
Rodeo is one of the best IDE for python that was developed for data science-related tasks like taking data and information from different resources and also plotting for issues.
It supports cross-platform functionality. It can also be used as an IDE for experimenting in an interactive manner.
Best Features:
- It supports all the functions which are required for data science or machine learning tasks like loading data and experimenting in some manner.
- It allows the developers to interact, compare data, inspect and plot.
- Rodeo provides a clean code, auto-completion of code, syntax high lighting, and IPython support to write the code faster.
- It also has visual file navigator, clicks and point the directories, package search makes it easier for a developer to get what they want.
Pros:
- It is a lightweight, highly customizable and intuitive development environment which makes it unique.
- It has both text editor and me Python console.
- It includes all the supporting documentation at the last tab for better understanding.
- It has Vim, Emacs mode and allows single or block execution of code.
- Rodeo can also auto-update its latest version.
Cons:
- It is not maintained properly.
- No extended support facilities from the company staff in case of issues.
Official URL: Rodeo
Codeanywhere
Codeanywhere is the final option in our quest to find the best cloud IDE. It is a cross-platform cloud IDE that allows you to create an environment, import or create a project and then execute in the same environment.
There is no free tier for Codeanywhere, though a seven-day trial is available. The cheapest plans are $2.5 per month, billed annually.
Set up an environment in Codeanywhere
Once you log in, you need to create a development environment. You can use one of the existing stacks from the list of options. Let us use a stack centered towards Python development:
Text editor in Codeanywhere
When the build loads successfully, you can either import a Git project or create an empty repository of your own.
Terminal in Codeanywhere
With a rich-text editor, you are able to create, edit and save files. Next, you can run any code that you have created or saved through the terminal by running the appropriate command.
Codeanywhere provides support for syncing with Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Drive, in addition to GitHub and BitBucket through version control. Further, you can also connect to your environment through FTP clients in order to transfer files to and from other locations. Codeanywhere also has a partnership with DigitalOcean to integrate with DO droplets.
Conclusion
When deciding the best Python IDE for beginners, you might find that it can be overwhelming with tons of them out there. So, I have narrowed down the list to the three top rated IDEs for Python programming language. I toiled through each of these IDEs before I finally settled on one that is to my liking.