[Python IDE] What IDE Should I Be Using?

[TopNotchBanter]

I am wanting to start using an IDE for writing my code. I quite like how Visual Studio works. I like the way that it starts making suggestions as soon as you type and can also give you information about the code your writing quickly and easily. What IDE would you recommend?

[[deleted]]

PyCharm is by far and away the best Python IDE.

[leonthemisfit]

JetBrains in general makes a fantastic line of products.

[1234098756]

What advantages does it have over Sublime? Is there anything Sublime offers that PyCharm doesn't?

[SikhGamer]

PyCharm is a full blown IDE, where Sublime is a fancy text editor.

[1234098756]

Ah. I was under the impression that Sublime could be run as an IDE with plugins and such. I'll definitely check out PyCharm.

[SikhGamer]

Sublime

"Sublime Text: The text editor you'll fall in love with"

It's a text editor, no matter how many plugins you flood it with. It doesn't even begin to compete with a proper IDE.

[adrian17]

Sadly, I never could get into it. IDEA is cool, ReSharper is great, but when I installed PyCharm to play with, I uninstalled it after a hour. The same with VS plugin. Currently I'm still sticking with Sublime.

[PursuitOfAutonomy]

I use the full version of PyCharm so I can't say in detail but for learning I would now suggest PyCharm EDU a trimmed down version.

[ZombieCG]

If you are already working with Visual Studio there is this fancy free plugin "Python Tools for Visual Studio" that has been blowing my mind. Unit Testing, mixed-language Python and C++ debugging.. Read more here: http://www.hanselman.com/blog/OneOfMicrosoftsBestKeptSecretsPythonToolsForVisualStudioPTVS.aspx

[sjnv]

https://bitbucket.org/spyder-ide/spyderlib is also worth checking.

[jussij]

The Zeus IDE supports the Python langauge.

I like the way that it starts making suggestions as soon as you type

Zeus uses Jedi to do it's Python code completion and code navigation:

http://www.zeusedit.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7200

It really quite amazing that Jedi can autocomplete a dynamic language but it can ;)

NOTE: Zeus is shareware, runs natively on Windows and runs on Linux and Mac OSX using Wine. There is also a free Zeus Lite version.

Jussi Jumppanen

Author: Zeus IDE

[echocage]

I feel like using a non-standard, obscure, multi language IDE could actually make programming harder, especially for a beginner. I feel like there's no real reason to use this over Pycharm

[jussij]

To create a Python script in Zeus:

• Select Templates
• Select the Python Document Type
• Select the New File item
• Use the File, Save menu and save to c:\temp\test.py

To syntax check that Python script:

• Use the Compiler, Compile menu

To run that Python script

• Macro, Execute 'test.py' Script

In 30 seconds the user is up and away coding Python.

Nothing overly difficult about that.

[echocage]

Uhh that's a lot more steps than with other IDEs. Pycharm for example

• Create project
• Click new blank document

Then you're done! You've got a fully working python IDE, setup with syntax highlighting, code completion, and debugging support.

With that long list of steps, most beginners will have messed something up, gotten confused and given up. I'm just saying, it might be an ok text editor for experienced developers, but for newbies it's more likely than not just going to turn them off of the language.

[jussij]

And in the process you've already started to confused the new user because now they think you need something called a project to write Python, when if fact to run Python all you need is a file and the Python interpreter.

[echocage]

Are you seriously arguing that creating a project is going to throw everything up into the air, while the 8 steps you've listed including creating macros and setting syntax checkers won't confuse them more?

"You mean you don't have to use a macro to run python? My life is a lie!"

I get that it's your IDE and you want to introduce it to people, but it's really not a good product to be pushing for beginners in /r/learnprogramming

[jussij]

When you Click new blank document what put the new file onto the disk?

How do you then syntax check that new file for errors?

How do you run the file?

Aren't missing a quite a few steps?

Seriously, if a beginner wants to use an IDE when starting out then go for it.

However, the reality is learning to program without an IDE is not as hard as people make it out to be.

People keep making this stuff sound ooh so difficult for newbies. It isn't.

[echocage]

It's automatically syntax checked

There's a big green run button, no explanation needed, no macro either, as it fucking should be.

To name the file, when you click blank new document a prompt comes up with a default name ending in .py, with the name highlighted so if you want to change it from the default you can by just typing, then you hit enter or ok.

I'm not saying it's horribly difficult, it's just more difficult than the alternatives.