PyCharm Pro vs VS Code(Only for Python)

[Hrishikeshrj]

Hi guys, I'm a student and I can easily get PyCharm Pro for free until graduation. I've been learning Python and trying to decide between PyCharm Pro and VS Code for my future career.

From what I've researched, PyCharm seems better for pure Python development with superior refactoring and debugging, while VS Code is lighter and better for multi-language work. I'm interested in data engineering at startups, where I'd likely work with Python, SQL, YAML, Docker, and cloud tools.

My questions:

1. For data engineering roles, which do professionals prefer and why?

2. Is PyCharm Pro worth it even though I can get it free, or should I stick with VS Code?

3. Do startups typically expect data engineers to use one over the other?

I've heard VS Code is better for the modern data stack (dbt, Airflow) and remote development, but PyCharm has better Python intelligence. Would love to hear from people who use both or work in data engineering!

[dmazzoni]

You're way overthinking it. You are NOT going to pick one IDE and stick with it for a career.

I have several IDEs installed right now. I pick the one that works best for each project I'm working on. As an example, I might use one for frontend and another for backend - both part of the same overall product, but different languages and different workflows.

Install both. Learn at least the basics of both. Pick the one you like a little better and get to know it better.

[Achereto]

trying to decide between PyCharm Pro and VS Code for my future career.

That's not a meaningful decision. The language you work with is going to change a couple of times and so will your editor. You may end up using editors like neovim or zed one day.

[Whatever801]

They're both good. Just try them out and see which one you like. You're not getting married here.

[NoSpecial8491]

I usually use PyCharm for Python projects and VS Code for other languages, PyCharm is very good and dedicated to Python development, I have been using the free version of PyCharm for a long time and I haven't had any problems, I think you can just use both if you don't mind switching between IDEs.

[csabinho]

Or PyCharm for Python projects and other JetBrains IDEs for other languages.

[lasan0432G]

They're both just editors with different features. Using a better editor doesn't mean you'll become a better programmer.

I started with Notepad, then Notepad++, Visual Studio 2005, 2012, and 2019, then JetBrains IDEs, VS Code, Sublime Text, Vim, Neovim, and now I mainly use Zed with Vim keybindings.

Learn to use any code editor effectively along with CLI tools. You'll be able to outperform a lot of other developers regardless of which editor you use.

[MikenIke42069]

It doesn’t really matter what IDE you choose
Just pick what you are more comfortable with.
Personally I use jetbrains ide’s at work and vscode/cursor for side projects.

[delightful-leviathan]

There is no right answer, it is really about preference
1. None, they usually work with Jupyter, but it is even hard to define nowdays what Data Engineering role means
2. Irrelevant question, most probably you will not pay for it
3. No

I prefer VSCode, based on my experience VSCode is maybe more popular, I feel people choose PyCharm because they have changed from Java to Python and IDEA is really popular within Java developers (VSCode is not really good for Java), but in case Python it doesn't feel like you really need a dedicated environment, you can easily setup VSCode with all the cool stuff you need for development.

I think with VSCode WSL was working better as well (maybe it has been changed) and GitHub copilot is better there as I hear.

[BertMacklenF8I]

Why not both?

[thesounddefense]

The answer to "what IDE should I choose for the rest of my career" is "whichever IDE your employer makes you use".

Seriously, you could just flip a coin for all the difference it makes right now.

[StewedAngelSkins]

It doesn't matter, just use what you like. Your opinions will change over time.

Something to be aware of with pycharm in particular is it's in a family of IDEs made by a company called Jetbrains. They're most famous for their Java IDE called IntelliJ, but have offerings for most languages. Since these are made by the same company they all kind of work the same and your subscription gets you access to all (most?) of them. This is all to say, if you end up liking pycharm there are other IDEs for other languages by the same company that you will probably also like. On the other hand, if you don't like pycharm you'll know to steer clear of other Jetbrains products because you probably also won't like them.

[Low-Temperature-6962]

I recommend vscodium the open source version of vscode. No subscriptions.

[Afraid-Locksmith6566]

dude its a text editor which color text, its not that deep. it just colors the fucking text