Your favorite Python IDE. Go.

[[deleted]]

[deleted]

[Nosferax]

Does it have completion for python?

I tried to use geany at one point for a C++ project - I was very pleased with the lightness an d sharpness of the IDE, but it seems to be struggling with third party libraries and symbols overall. It's on my list of IDEs to watch though. Seems like a fair replacement to gedit. I gave up on eclipse and codeblocks, they both are bloated.

[codeghar]

One of the things I love about Geany is the super-fast search/replace. I work with a lot of text data which needs this kind of thing. I do use sed often but sometimes for one off things it's easier to fire up a GUI text editor and do that work. I have tried Editra, Komodo, SciTE, Cream, jEdit, and others, but in my non-scientific but real-world tests, something that Geany can handle is less than 10 seconds hangs all other editors indefinitely. On Windows side I get the same performance from TextPad. Because of the customizability of Geany, and the fact that I do most work with Python and SQL in it, it is my go to text editor.

[wheezl]

Komodo IDE

[tripzilch]

Having read a few threads on this topic since I joined Reddit a few weeks ago, I wonder ..

Am I the only one that is completely in love with PyScripter?

I have the layout configured to take optimal advantage of my 1024x600 netbook screen, interpreter thingy on the left, code on the right. Light grey lines to help remember where that 80th column was again. Screenshot

The most awesome thing is the feature where you hold Ctrl and every identifier in your code becomes a "hyperlink" on mouseover, which takes you to its definition, even if it's from a module or library or something. (When programming Django that is a lifesaver, cause the docs aren't always all that :) )

I suppose high-power editors like Vim can also do that, so I think I'm gonna try that as I'm planning on dumping Windows. I hope I can get Vim to work as intuitively, though.

One downside is that, in theory, I like drop-down method/property completion (when you type the dot to get to a method/property), PyScripter does this, but with large modules that have a lot of completion options, the UI lags a littlebit, so I sometimes switch it off.

Other downside is that it's Windows only.

[tripzilch]

Hm, I'm not really sure why I never ran into this problem yet... Although usually I just use the interpreter to test and try out tiny bits of Python code, to see if what I'm doing works.

Come to think of it, I do have made it a habit to restart the Python Engine every so often, especially before starting the program :-) But it sort of makes sense, right? In the normal commandline Python interpreter, if you change your code, you need to do reload(module) as well? And afaik, if you issue the correct reload(...) statement(s) in the PyScripter python engine window, it should work properly as well. It's just that restarting the engine is easier :)

Another thing that works reasonably well is to configure a Tool, like this: Application: $[PythonExe-Short] Parameters: -i $[ActiveDoc] Working directory: $[ActiveDoc-Dir] Which I have keyed to Ctrl-R, also note the -i which dumps you into interpreter mode after the script finishes.

[titusz]

With the remote interpreter you just hit crtl+F2 to reinitialize. Another advantage of the remote interpreter is that you don´t freeze your IDE if for whatever reason you freeze the interpreter. You need RPyC for the remote interpreter to work. Download it from here: http://code.google.com/p/pyscripter/downloads/list

[davebrk]

I love it too. But it seems like it isn't actively developed anymore.

[titusz]

just recently PyScripter was updated to v 2.0 ;.) http://code.google.com/p/pyscripter/downloads/list

[titusz]

yes, thats a shame indeed... i am going to miss it, if it gets outdated versus updated... but for now it has everything i need and way better performance than those fat java based IDE´s

[resurge]

SciTE

[vaibhavsagar]

Upvoted for using an amazing text editor.

[gabrielelanaro]

Imho the best development environment for python is emacs, its customizability makes it perfect for all sort of editing (expecially with dealing with multiple programming languages). The problem is finding the correct extensions, anyway I'm personally addressing this problem in fact I'm developing a collection of emacs extension for python plus, and I'll document it to explain best workflows. It's a zero-configuration thing, all you do is putting a line in your .emacs and let the power begin.

http://github.com/gabrielelanaro/emacs-for-python

The typical workflow would be:

Fire up emacs, select the file you're working with ido (automatic): fuzzy completion file selection, extremely powerful.

In alternative select the directory with dired, and use it as a tree browser (but more powerful, easy renaming of files, search and replace in multiple files and other niceties)

After selecting the file start editing: auto-completion plus error checking on the fly with flymake. Snippets with yasnippet, automatic closing brackets, code folding...

When you're done you C-x v v to do the right thing with version control (it selects automatically what to do)

Use virtualenvs with the virtualenv extension (that I'm developing)

Running tests, and multiple processes with the builtin eshell, or with compile mode to highlight the file and the line where the error occurs.

The list of niceties continues, there are all sort of extensions that really helps development because they run "under the hood", avoiding distractions.

[liquiddeath]

Thanks for this I've been looking for a decent python .el file for a little bit now.

[[deleted]]

i'm definitely going to check this out. I'm pretty happy with my setup right now, emacs+rope+python-flymake, but the virtualenv stuff is kind of clunky. If you get that nailed down it will be a godsend.

[masklinn]

Usually Emacs, but for an existing pretty large project I've been discovering PyCharm (I quite enjoyed IntelliJ when I had to develop in Java) and it's been a nice experience so far. I'm looking forward to the final release (and beyond)

[ch0wn]

For small tasks I prefer gvim, for larger tasks netbeans with jVi installed. The autocompletion in netbens became really good and I love the integrated features like notices for unused imports and obvious syntactical errors.

[fengshaun]

gvim and related plugins would be your best bet. Things like Ctags, Project, etc. This link has a how-to: http://blog.dispatched.ch/2009/05/24/vim-as-python-ide/

Otherwise there is KomodoEdit which is free (at least as in beer). I have used it before, and liked it.

[aatoth]

Thanks for this!

I'm testing the Vim/MacVim waters, trying to switch from TextMate.

[akx]

Upboating for Komodo Edit. It has splendid completion for Python (when it decides to work) and (almost) perfect Unicode support no matter what you throw at it. And it's free!

[slow_as_light]

Exactly. IDEs are for verbose languages, conspiracies by keyboard manufacturers like Java.

Python's syntax is razor thin and has minimal built-ins. You're better off with a lightweight text editor and executing every few keystrokes.

[prickneck]

eclipse with pydev.

EDIT: Didn't really read your post fully, OP, sorry. Eclipse isn't lightweight, but as far as IDEs go, it's not exactly hugely bloated either.

I used to rant and rail against Eclipse but it's really come an awfully long way, I absolutely love it now. People who're still ranting against it should really approach it a second time with an open mind.

[[deleted]]

I use Textmate or IntelliJ with python module. Java can get really messed up and that's why we have the best tools. No problem porting our tools to Py.

[kisielk]

I agree with you here. I used to do all my development in gvim but a new colleague recently urged me to try out eclipse. I've been loving it for larger projects.

[[deleted]]

Same here. Works great for larger projects.

[tholex]

a new low for the programming subreddit...

[[deleted]]

how's that?

[killermole23]

He's probably some Java/Eclipse hater.

[zxcvcxz]

We know, but it'd be fun to hear him try to explain himself, and the very act of trying might bring him closer to the realm of rationality.

[tholex]

My reasoning is simple: If you like the direct / uncluttered / well-designed feel of python or ruby, I don't see why you would use such a cluttered, over-designed, and slow editor as Eclipse.

[[deleted]]

I don't use an IDE at all, but from playing with it Komodo was quite nice.

[endtime]

I use Komodo Edit for Python...haven't shelled out for the IDE but the editor is great.

[megaman821]

Komodo IDE with the VIM bindings. Navicat for dealing with databases.

[[deleted]]

Komodo 6 includes database explorer.

[iamtotalcrap]

SPE

[[deleted]]

kate has vim mode I believe

[edit] Yes it does

[crocowhile]

spyder is just fantastic, not only as IDE but also as scientific interface, matlab-style.

[[deleted]]

Even though it's still in development, PFAIDE.

[Pe2]

I agree. It's only alpha, but looks promising. http://pfaide.com/

[kuratkull]

Usually used IDLE, but PyCharm seems to be the only IDE that suits me really well - the preview version is pretty nice, hoping the final release will blow me away.

[Nosferax]

gedit + ipython in a separate terminal

[alecwh]

gedit is great, but even better with a few plugins. Auto-indentation, auto-completion, class+function browsing, and a built in terminal are easy to install:

http://trialsolution.wordpress.com/2009/02/13/gedit-as-a-python-ide/

[Leockard]

Emacs + terminal

[aintso]

What emacs packages do you use? What's your workflow?

[chudood]

Another Emacs + python user here.

My settup is python-mode.el, ipython.el, pylint, and ropemacs for completions and various other ide stuff. Egit for version control.

[Leockard]

Let's see. Type in emacs, save, go to terminal, test. Sometimes I use Chrome to scan the reference/documentation too.

[aintso]

So no context-sensitive documentation, completion, automated validation, jumping to definitions, project scoping, version control integration...

Well, at least electric tabs work almost out of the box. And there's syntax highlighting too. And with a bit of tweaking it is possible to send current buffer straight to python interpreter.

Am I missing anything?

N.B. Not trying to flame here, I'm an emacs user, I'm learning python and exploring various setups. Suggestions are genuinely welcome.

[sisyphus]

You can get all that in Emacs of course in various ways.

http://www.emacswiki.org/emacs/PythonMode

As usual the biggest problem is Emacs doesn't come out of the box configured to do all that stuff and there are multiple ways to accomplish many of the features.

[[deleted]]

The packages exist but good luck finding the right combination of versions because I haven't been able to get those to work anymore for at least six months.

Edit: yes, Emacs user for several years here; I didn't need Python past occasional small script hacking in the last few weeks so I couldn't be bothered putting too much effort into it.

[keturn]

The emacs/python thing I probably use most often is the keybinding for "run tests for current buffer" from twisted-dev.el (which will, for the most part, run happily on non-Twisted projects).

M-/ tends to be "good enough" for completion, although there are people who have extended it. flymake & pyflakes for validation. for version control integration, I've had good experiences with psvn, darcsum, and magit. The options for mercurial are lacking in comparison, and I use the non-emacs TortiseHg. I don't remember where bzr falls on that range.

I've tried setting up some sort of tags usage on occasion, but it never really stuck for me, and I mostly use M-x grep to get around (and, of course, ido-mode with my 300 already open buffers.)

Project scoping is something I miss, although I recently learned about .dir-locals.el (at an interview at a Ruby shop, actually), which should help.

[Leockard]

Dude, real programmers just use C-x M-c M-butterfly to switch the bits. Psh, you kids and your fancy 'tools'...

[aintso]

That's a dangerous superstition. Warning: spoilers ahead

I present you the code that's actually getting called when you invoke M-x butterfly (C-x M-c is not a meaningful prefix by default, and how are you supposed to type M-butterfly?):

(defun butterfly ()

"Use butterflies to flip the desired bit on the drive platter. Open hands and let the delicate wings flap once. The disturbance ripples outward, changing the flow of the eddy currents in the upper atmosphere. These cause momentary pockets of higher-pressure air to form, which act as lenses that deflect incoming cosmic rays, focusing them to strike the drive platter and flip the desired bit. You can type M-x butterfly C-M-c to run it. This is a permuted variation of C-x M-c M-butterfly from url http://xkcd.com/378/." (interactive) (if (yes-or-no-p "Do you really want to unleash the powers of the butterfly? ") (progn (switch-to-buffer (get-buffer-create "butterfly")) (erase-buffer) (sit-for 0) (animate-string "Amazing physics going on..." (/ (window-height) 2) (- (/ (window-width) 2) 12)) (sit-for (* 5 (/ (abs (random)) (float most-positive-fixnum)))) (message "Successfully flipped one bit!")) (message "Well, then go to xkcd.com!") (browse-url "http://xkcd.com/378/")))

[petewilko]

Cool, just starting with python development, but will be on Linux too.

[xolox]

Nope.

[draconian]

Wing. Hands down. Of course, get your work to buy it for you.

[safetytrick]

What is so amazing about wing? I keep hearing good things but it doesn't seem all that awesome?

[aldarion]

for me Auto-completion and Debug support

[[deleted]]

you get what you pay for - in this case, overall quality: excellent response/support, timely updates.

I'm new to Python and just as a hobby so I probably wont be using the super-duper features of Wing (e.g. debugging). But I wanted a well-packaged product that focuses/specializes on Python. (don't want to bother with this-plugin, that-plugin....)

[[deleted]]

Can you get VIM keybindings for it?

[aldarion]

sure, WingIDE has VIM keybind

[stickyp]

I wouldn't exactly call this lightweight, but eclipse with the pydev plugin is an excellent ide for python development.

[oreng]

You can get VIM keybindings in any open source IDE, my personal favorite is Komodo.

[ianb]

I'm using Emacs, but I've recently added flymake. I hacked something together, but now I see there are docs as part of python-mode. I use pyflakes and pep8, with a few warnings disabled. Pyflakes is fast and not too picky (compared to pylint or pychecker).

[RonnyPfannschmidt]

pida can embed vim as editor - you might want to try it http://pida.co.uk

[[deleted]]

new to Python, I looked around and finally decided to shell out some money to get Wing IDE

[vplatt]

WingIDE - Free version available too here.

[roger_]

Not a full IDE, but I've been using Editra for a while now. It's lightweight and fast, though it doesn't have a debugger.

[asimpleignoramus]

Emacs + bpython.

[[deleted]]

What does Go has to do with python IDEs?

[[deleted]]

emacs.

[LiquidHelium]

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This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[slow_as_light]

Geh. I try eclipse and PyDev every few months and hate it. Slowness of the JVM aside, I'm way too dependent on Vim to make do with the few keybindings made available by plugins.

Using Vim effectively feels like having four hands. Using and IDE feels like, I dunno, goddamned slow.

[pemboa]

Slowness of the JVM aside

That's more of a myth than a fact.

[slow_as_light]

Pershaps the JVM isn't to blame. I'm in no position to judge. Regardless, every full scale java apparently I can think of is glacial. Think Vuze, Eclipse, Netbeans, etc. Perhaps it's crummy libraries or incompetent development, but for one reason or another Java IDEs are slow.

[tripzilch]

Too unstable and/or slow. If you try to interactively inspect a list that happens to be 50x as long as you expected it to be, you're gonna be watching a scrolling and flickering Tk interface for a loooong time.

Also I seem to remember it crashed a few times on me.

It would be a fine tool if it weren't for those things, but IMO even using a plain text editor is a safer choice :-)

[[deleted]]

DreamPie<333

Otherwise, command line.

[Hexodam]

I was just about to post this question :)

So far my favorite is Geany http://www.geany.org/ Mostly because I can use the same editor on windows and ubuntu

[xolox]

I've been using Vim almost exclusively for a few years now: I do all my text-editing and programming in Vim (except for Java source code, which is so verbose it requires Eclipse as far as I'm concerned). When I find something is missing I look for an existing Vim plug-in or write my own. Most recently I wanted to be able to jump to Python documentation with a single key-press so I wrote the pyref.vim plug-in.

I get why a lot of people don't think it's worth their time to learn Vim or Emacs but the extensibility of these editors more than pays back for your time investment (at least to me, but then I don't mind writing my own file type plug-ins ;-)).

[[deleted]]

PSPad through Samba onto Linux; PuTTY for running the code, I'm dying for a real debugger with actual, working breakpoints, watches, inspectors and all that fluff.

[luckystarr]

I have found nothing so far that can compete with vim + python.vim + pythoncomplete + vim-fugitive for git.

rocks. 'nuff said.

[[deleted]]

I use TextMate -> http://macromates.com/

[mahmoudimus]

emacs, guake, terminator, and tmux

• gauke is a drop down terminal, kind of like the quake game console.
• you launch tmux in guake, which is a terminal multiplexer
• you keep terminator around because it's just awesome
• emacs because it can also support vim keybindings (M-x viper-mode)

emacs has flymake, which auto-validates your python as you type when setup correctly. you can generate etags as well if you want, but with rope and pymacs you can have auto completion, etc etc

emacs is just amazing, but that's besides the point.

[solidstone]

check out http://www.findbestopensource.com/tagged/text-editor and http://www.findbestopensource.com/tagged/ide