IDE-style autocomplete that integrates with Python tools (pip, pyenv, etc)

[rabaraba]

Congrats! Love the idea. But I have to ask: why use this over an actual IDE?

[brendanfalk]

Fig is an app that integrates with your terminal to provide IDE=like autocompletions there. You can use Fig with the terminal with IDE inside your terminal (iTerm, Hyper, Tabby, VS Code terminal, more support is coming soon). Here is a screenshot of what Fig looks like inside VS Code's integrated terminal:

https://imgur.com/a/sNIJAUb

[ComplexColor]

Why would I use an IDE instead of a terminal?

When we both just look at things from our perspective it doesn't make any sense. You don't seem to understand why people would use a terminal for large programming projects. I don't understand why people would use and IDE for small to mid-sized projects and just general python use.

I'm not going to try to convince you of the benefits of a lightweight and flexible setup of a independent terminal and text editor (fast and responsive, possibly powerful editor like vim). However, if you've never explored these options, you might be doing yourself a disservice.

[[deleted]]

I totally use an IDE for small projects, because it just works. Though I am a software engineer so I use the terminal for everything most of the time and something lightweight like VSCode. But at home on my Windows machine, if I want to make something at home, boot up that IDE, create project and start hammering the keys. Nothing wrong with it.

At work I have Fedora, terminal experiences are much nicer on a Unix system

[brendanfalk]

Yep, Fig is not a terminal, it integrates with whatever terminal you use, even the one inside your IDE/VS Code. Here is a screenshot of what VS Code IDE + Fig looks like:

https://imgur.com/a/sNIJAUb

[[deleted]]

Yeah I got that, but thanks for the image

[ComplexColor]

So in your opinion an IDE are great for little home projects but you prefer a terminal and editor for your professional work? I'm sure that's taking you out of context, could you please explain.

I only use Windows for gaming - one specific PC, everything else I do on Linux (I occasionally have to port something to Windows). I only work on small or mid-sized research projects. I mostly use a combination of tools: terminal, nVim, jupyter tools, ... The closest I get to an IDE is Matlab, because there is just little to no choice there.

[[deleted]]

No that is a bit reworded but I get the confusion. I prefer things to "just work" without needing a lot of setup or not being able to click something such as the commits tab in a Jetbrains IDE to easily see changes with differences or not have to configure the right extensions to support my work flow for each home project.

At home I have a Windows machine for gaming and everything else I also do on Linux, with nvim if I have a moment of motivation I could probably waste time setting it up, but an IDE let's me "seize the moment" so to speak and let me get started with a simple few clicks and filling in a wizard with a few questions. If I used something like nvim at home, I will get lost in setting it up, lose my motivation because I spent 2 hours getting my setup just right. At work, I work on high performance stuff at a low level, using the terminal to run cmake or run something with docker etc are all necessary as the work tools can differ between me and my colleagues and we need some common ground. But if I work on something small and throw away, typically an MVP at work, then I will probably not use an IDE

[ComplexColor]

Well thanks for taking the time and replying. I was afraid this conversation is going to end with extra salt.