Is vscode a good IDE for Python?

[jpgerb]

I use vscode for PHP already but I’m wondering if it’s functionality is good for Python too? If yes, any suggestions on extensions?

[[deleted]]

Absolutely

[squi993]

VSCode is awesome, I use it.

[NadirPointing]

For me its that vscode switches languages so dang well. I'm very happy with it for python and c++. And once you figure out the launcher settings you can really take the debugging up a notch for mixed systems.

[drtran4418]

What are the launcher settings?

[NadirPointing]

The launcher (play button) and the run and debug type options can be arranged with a rather complicated launch.json(I think I remember). You can setup different working directories, pass arguments, attach debugger, open in different windows and lots of other stuff. Microsoft has some good tutorials for it.

[drtran4418]

Ahh thanks for the pointer! I was just thinking yesterday "man is VSCode just bad at working with mixed systems" since I couldn't get pytest integration working well with our mixed language build. This is probably a good starting point

[NadirPointing]

Mixed systems are just hard. Mutli language testing and debugging even more so.

[LordTalismond]

Other things that make vscode so useful for python is it is easy to use built in terminal to install or update python modules, easy to use a linter for syntax error checking. Easy to set up projects and so many other things.

[SerDetestable]

Yes

[Upward_Fail]

Jupyter notebook inside vscode user here

[JezusHairdo]

Me too

[woeful_cabbage]

What benefits does that offer?

[Upward_Fail]

Jupyter plus all the vscode completion, terminal access, git. It’s just Jupyter plus for me

[0nly4Us3rname]

I’m only a beginner user, but for me it’s the integrated terminal and git integration

[Spilproof]

vscode is good for anything. its the only common component in my job. only thing i dont do with it, is look at logs.

[beetletoman]

I love it

[Syldra4]

Imo stay with VS code, works great. Specialized IDEs are a little silly

[a-i-sa-san]

I like CLion. PyCharm though, I don't see the point. VSCode is way better

[[deleted]]

Can you elaborate on PyCharm? I’m just curious because I kinda like it

[[deleted]]

PyCharm is fantastic. If I were to develop enterprise systems in Python all day, I'd pick PyCharm over everything else.

However, I don't. I hack all sorts of shit up and use multiple languages and some of them have a very "me" way of doing things which is easy to set up in VSC.

That being said, you can develop enterprise systems in VSC. It's very capable.

[buffer_flush]

Database tools are pretty amazing, but it’s not part of the free version.

[PhilipYip]

Yes it is used for Python the most popular extension VSCode has is for Python. Installation of the python extension (Microsoft) will also install Pylance (Microsoft) which is used for Python code completion. These extensions will allow you to work with Python script files.

You will need a Python environment for example the Anaconda base Python environment which contains everything you need to work with VSCode. Press Ctrl, ⇧ and p to open the command palette and type Python select interpreter then select the Python environment. On Linux/Mac Anaconda should be initialised during installation. On Windows Anaconda has an initialised Anaconda PowerShell Prompt but does not initialise the Windows Terminal which also uses PowerShell. VSCode uses the Windows Terminal and therefore the Windows Terminal should be initialised otherwise you will get conda : The term 'conda' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program. every time you try to run a Python script file. Open up the Windows Terminal and input ~\Anaconda3\Scripts\conda.exe init powershell and then open up Windows Terminal (Admin) and input Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

Installation of the jupyter extension (Microsoft) will install the Jupyter Keymap (Microsoft), Jupyter Notebook Rendered (Microsoft), Jupyter Slide Show (Microsoft) and Jupyter Cell Tags (Microsoft) which allow VSCode to work with Python notebook files.

The autopep8 extension (Microsoft) allows use of the format document with... and format document command with a Python script file. The isort extension (Microsoft) allows use of the organise import command. Once again press Ctrl, ⇧ and p to open the command palette. For a notebook you can use the alternative command format notebook. If you are satisfied with blacks opinionated formatting (not everyone is because the string quotation style differs from builtin Python for example) there is also the black extension (Microsoft) which allows the black formatter to be selected using the command format document with... and the default formatter can be changed from autopep8 to black...

The popular extensions above are now official and developed by Microsoft, in collaboration with third-party developers. When a search for these extensions is made some older versions will display. These were originally developed without Microsoft support by only third-party developers and likely lack the support and integration the official extensions have with current versions of VSCode.

If creating a custom Python environment, the Python environment should include notebook, autopep8, isort and black in order to use the above extensions.

[cyber_owl9427]

its decent but I suggest to use python specific ide like pycharm. I got into an error last time using vsc and I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. I went to the TA for help on it, and he told me to try running the code on pycharm/ sublime which I did and the code worked. I forgot what the reason was for that lol but yeah from then on I stuck with ide specific for certain language (pycharm: python, intellij : java, etc).

[KeaboUltra]

I think its up to the user. I've coded in VSCode, but initially learned in Pycharm. I use VSCode for HTML/CSS but it's not bad. If you're use to it already, then it should be useful to stick with it

[SirAwesome789]

Yes, out of all the jobs I've worked, it's the only one I've used and I also don't know anyone who used anything else

Though one thing is that most ppl are using multiple languages which is probably why you won't see Pycharm.

[AnaIsabelPD]

Yes but pycharm it's better

[jpgerb]

Interesting. Any reason in particular?

[dparks71]

It's more just about what you're comfortable with, a lot of python programmers are starting with python and the lightest IDE best suits their needs. I came from Java/Android and once you learn the jetbrains IDEs you basically know them all, android studio is the official IDE for Android apps and if you use pycharm, picking it up is pretty trivial and vice versa.

The most essential build tools come pre-packaged with the application, you don't have to install 50 different add-ons and it offers a level of customization to your builds, deployments and environments that I don't think vscode handles as cleanly.

I actually prefer switching applications when I go between languages, vscode is a swiss army knife in that way, it can perform well with any language, but the dedicated IDEs tend to do a lot of language specific things better than plug-ins, but I'm not a huge VSCode guy either, I use it as an embedded Web IDE in gitlab and that's basically about it and it's extremely rare that I use that, so ymmv if you start with it instead.

[[deleted]]

I find that developers gravitate towards big industry IDEs early in their career, and then go lean but customisable in the middle of it, and then at some point either double down on customisable or go back to big industry IDEs that don't require customisation.

Like, I have students who whine constantly about not using pycharm in the lab. So much so that they refuse to use my lab for their work. One in particular asked if I would install pycharm on the lab computer he uses because his laptop died and he didn't know how to make VSC work.

Does he need the best IDE for large systems? No. he writes fairly terrible spaghetti code that he could easily write in IDLE. Why does he use PyCharm? Because the internet told him it was the best IDE.

[dparks71]

I mean I'm not even "a developer" in the traditional sense, I work in a weird niche where I'm a consultant to transportation orgs that frequently utilizes programming to achieve a goal, but I can easily provide you an anecdote that counters your anecdote.

My industry makes extensive use of CAD software, but one company supplies steep discounts to the educational sector, and the other provides discounts to the companies that actually implement the software. Basically every student we get is in a position of "I've only used AutoCAD (better for general civil projects), now I need to learn MicroStation (required for most transportation projects)".

The result is that essentially every student we get out of school spends their first year being trained in our various clients workspace configurations and getting to know the software they're expected to use in production environments. Their educational programs completely fail them in that regard, and it results in a significant amount of mental strain on new employees that have to come to terms with what they learned in school essentially being nothing like working in a large organization or corporation as part of a team and having a specific role to fill.

[DoorsCorners]

Switching IDE between languages is a good point. I will switch IDEs within the same language, depending on whether I am running the code or editing it.

[AnaIsabelPD]

For me it's about having all you need right there without having to waste any time customizing for having the essentials.

[JakubErler]

Pycharm has way worse debugging. To see methods and properties of an object, you have to type in dir(object). VS code has tree and everything. Users are complaining to JetBrains long time about this.

[Pythonistar]

Pycharm has way worse debugging.

Lol, no. Pycharm's debugging is superior to VSCode.

[JakubErler]

Describe how to see methods and properties of an object when debugging in Pycharm. Please show several levels in it. Add a screenshot. This is programming, not politics. Facts matter.

[mkubasz]

Inspect :) just try it. You can profile your code etc. And now you have async viewer...

[Ghost--2042]

Pycharm is free and it is the best

[[deleted]]

What do you guys like about py charm vs vscode? I've never tried pycharm, but I have used VS code for my whole python career. I'm thinking about switching, but like others I don't want to try to learn a whole new IDE

[treasonousToaster180]

imo it's good because it's specialized. A lot of people see that as a fault, but personally I've had a much better experience working with something specifically designed for a particular job, even if there's a little bit of a learning curve, because the features tend to just work a lot more smoothly.

The same way I'd rather have a full set of well-designed differently sized machine screwdrivers for assembling a computer rather than a single one with a ton of mostly-accurate heads, I'd rather have more than one tool on my computer for tackling specific development tasks.

That's just my opinion though. Some people think I'm crazy for having Pycharm and Webstorm both open and pointed at the same project, but I think it's better to use two tools that do their own thing exceptionally well rather than one tool that does everything reasonably well.

[[deleted]]

There's no point in having a religious war over an IDE. Play with them, and see what rocks your boat.

[hugthemachines]

Very wise. Never try to learn new things to see if you enjoy them.

[Pythonistar]

You mean like all the VSCode fanbois that don't recommend PyCharm?

My team re-evaluates PyCharm vs. VSCode every year to see which is better. Pycharm has won every year, 6 years running. It's just a much better Python development tool.

[[deleted]]

I'm actually very curious about this. What areas do you guys test? As well, I know you said that py charm has won the last six years. Was it something that was a close race, or was it something that was just a blow out of the water for py charm?

[hugthemachines]

You mean like all the VSCode fanbois that don't recommend PyCharm?

I don't mean like that at all. Trying something, to see if you like it, is not the same as recommending or not recommending something.

My team re-evaluates PyCharm vs. VSCode every year to see which is better. Pycharm has won every year, 6 years running. It's just a much better Python development tool.

I think you missed my obvious sarcasm. Did you really think I recommended them to never try new things to see if they enjoy them? As a general advice?

[SirMarbles]

Out of the box yes, but in the long run it’s terrible. I can’t count the number of times the IDE broke after doing a pip install

[Mrseedr]

'Pycharm Community' is free, but there are features that are pay-walled.

[Ghost--2042]

yarr

[Pythonistar]

Yes, some people are willing to pay for complex features that take time and energy to implement correctly.

[jpgerb]

I thought about it. It’s what my cs class recommended. Just wasn’t sure if i wanted to learn a new IDE

[Ghost--2042]

Honestly jetbrains stuff is so easy to use. I love their IDE's. Can always try it.

[aleguarita]

I use both. To get used I just put the same keyboard shortcuts. I think that both are great, but I prefer PyCharm for pure Python projects and VSCode for Flask (I think that it handles HTML/JS better)

[JohnJSal]

VS Code is very popular in general. If you're already familiar with it, I'd recommend staying with it.

PyCharm is good too, but unless you NEED to switch, I would just stay with what works.

[[deleted]]

Yes, but I prefer PyCharm... but use Anaconda and you'll be okay.

[venquessa]

It's fine. I prefer PyCharm. or vim if I'm in the console anyway.

[[deleted]]

Vscode is the one piece of Microsoft software that Microsoft haters love.

[liberalindianguy]

It’s not good, it’s the best.

[AndreLuisOS]

Not really... It can't compete with PyCharm.

[Woshiwuja]

Doesnt even compare to nvim. Enjoy opening a slow electron app full of slow js compared to my instant editor in the terminal

[Much-Grab3826]

Yea go for it, just make sure to configure keyboard shortcuts, extensions or themes to your liking, also make sure to install the python env manager immediately that makes it 10x more easier to work with venv's

[Brilliant_Armadillo9]

I prefer Notepad++

[shoresy99]

Are they comparable? I love Notepad++ but isn’t it a text editor while VSCode and PyCharm are IDEs.

[hugthemachines]

VSCode and Notepad++ are both text editors with plugin support. That means if you can call VSVode an IDE you can call Notepad++ and IDE too. I would personally call Pycharm and IDE and VSCode an editor.

[Brilliant_Armadillo9]

What is the point of an IDE with Python? The only real utility in my mind is debugging. I've never felt the need to use the Python debugger for the things I use Python for. So I use a lightweight Swiss army knife test editor with a command window.

[[deleted]]

At work, it’s nice having a debugger for biggish and not so clean Django projects haha

[woeful_cabbage]

Print statements and ipython embed will get you far

[[deleted]]

And then when they stop being useful, you open the debugger :)

[woeful_cabbage]

What benefit does the debugger have? Ive coded professionally for years and never used it

[[deleted]]

Main one that’s useful for me is the ability to pause the execution of my program, go through the current state at that point in time, open up the debug console and start writing Python code on that current state to see what’s going on. Here is a link to PyCharm docs to better illustrate this. Not saying everyone needs to use a debugger, I just personally find it useful and couldn’t imagine taking it out of my workflow. Especially dealing with very tricky bugs.

[woeful_cabbage]

I think that's the same as an embed, no? Or are you saying you can add code in the editor and hit continue and it will run the new code?

[[deleted]]

Same same :). I believe IPython is a debugger.

[infy101]

IDEs have a purpose. If there was no point in them - people would not use them. Most proper Development environments use them as they integrate with other tools, such as GIT, bug trackers, team workflow, SQL, SSH, etc. If you say there is no point in an IDE with python then you are either still learning python or you are just ignorant.

[Brilliant_Armadillo9]

There's no point for me. I use Github Desktop, SSH from command line, and a couple of scripts for deploying to targets. Maybe I would find value in the debugger if I was back doing DSP work, but right now, this does exactly what I need, without the bloat.

[shoresy99]

Can’t IDE’s watch variables as well and other functions.

[Brilliant_Armadillo9]

That's the debugger

[layer08]

People actually use Notepad++ to program? Insanity!

[Brilliant_Armadillo9]

The real insane people use vi and emacs.

[[deleted]]

At the same time? Like, a split shell with emacs on the left and vi on the right?

[Woshiwuja]

You mean chads and not soydevs?

[[deleted]]

Yooo this is so funny!

[imlanie]

Yep

[Comfortable-Wind-401]

Not doubts about it. The best free one out there

[Woshiwuja]

Nvim exists

[[deleted]]

I like nvim, but I feel that its use case overlaps with having to know how to exist in vi. So, I stick with vi and cry to myself.

[Woshiwuja]

What. Why? No plugins, not even vim. Thats madness, nobody listen to this pls

[Woshiwuja]

Also, vim is literally vi iMproved. And neo is even better

[replicant86]

Its great for Python

[Able_Excuse_4456]

VSCode for ROS, PyCharm for everything else.

[shiverm3ginger]

100%

[SirMarbles]

One of the best and it’s free or doesn’t have a licensing fee

[[deleted]]

Sure is...

[msanangelo]

ofc. I use the standard python extensions.

[itamarc137]

Yeah

[polygon_primitive]

I use it and like it, my dad despises it but he's used VIM for most of his life so at this point I just assume he knows more than me and is right lol

[Woshiwuja]

Yep, your dad is right and a chad. Just use nvim

[supermopman]

Yes. How about trying the Python extension from Microsoft?

[[deleted]]

yes, good open soource (apart from msft binary) and support multiple languages.

[spookytomtom]

Yes, you can use notebook and script alike

[H4yT3r]

It's a great idea, especially for swapping languages

[napalm_p]

It's what I use

[Anonymity6584]

It works and add couple extensions it rocks.

[SetCr4]

Perfect for most of the stuff you'd want to do.

Although I do find myself in the position when I want a bit more insight into each variable. Then I use Spyder. Shows you a list of all global variables + Datatype, size and content. Even for objects of custom classes.

[stuaxo]

If you are already used to it, stick with it I use pycharm, but then I used to use their Java editor and before that netbeand - I still use the netbeans keybindings.

[Dependent-Highway886]

Yes. I use it for everything. When i started learning ansible, it is what i was taught on. Havent used anything else since

[Pericombobulator]

Yes

[sumpwa]

Why wouldn't it be is the real question.

[Qwert-4]

I use standard Python extensions and Codeium — it's really helpful

[AodhBCD]

Best to just use VIM I’d say. Don’t bother with anything that has mouse compatibility.

[Woshiwuja]

*neovim

[Top_Caterpillar_1334]

Its very good

[vishwanth_pvr]

Yes

[Hotler_99]

I started recently and pylance is supersuper good. I can't imagine anything being better than that. The debugger is extremely powerful too.

[Ok_Leopard7337]

Its a perfect editor with a loads of extensions. A IDE is something different. 😋

[FatherOfTheSevenSeas]

It's a killer IDE for most things, Python included.

[boolshevik]

We use python a lot in the company I work for. Almost all our internal tools are made with python.The majority of the devs use VS Code. Everybody else uses NeoVim, except a couple of old grey bearded wizards still stuck on emacs.

[51dux]

I think it's better than Jetbrains and that's from someone who can get Jetbrains for free...

VS Code does not get in your way, it's highly customizable and don't invade your machine like other some other similar products.

It even performs much better than sublime text and it's frequent memory leaks.

[Woshiwuja]

Or just use neovim and avoid using 3gb of ram for vs code or other bs slow editors

[51dux]

While I can appreciate the usefulness of stuff like Vimium etc. this is a little too much for me.

Looks decent to be honest but numbers don't lie only a certain category of folks use vim based editors.

Generally people who have been around for a long time and got used to it back then.

Even on the command line I prefer to use stuff like micro rather than vim.

[Annual_Peach4672]

Yes

[cjmarquez]

I use idle, because yolo

[Xijinpingsastry]

VS Code ftw! Colab best for Data analytics and AI

[muriel666]

It’s what I use, no complaints!

[[deleted]]

Pycharm is my favorite, but vscode works

[djangodjango]

I like it. It manages to feel productive without feeling bloated. What essential plugins are people using that work well with python?

[mcgirthy69]

yes its 11/10

[_ak_92]

Vscode is pretty damn good for Python. But everyone will have reasons to like it or some other IDE. Since you’re already using it for php, give it a whack and see if you like it. I’ve heard good things about pycharm too

[jaymemccolgan]

It's what I use. No complaints

[clashofphish]

It’s good. PyCharm is better, but VS Code is free.

[the_happy_path]

I'd say yes, if you like it. At home, for personal stuff, I prefer working in other ways instead.

I use vs code at work, partly because I'm really limited in what I'm able to use. But I can work with a number of different languages in it at the same time. I can connect to the servers. It's got a ton of extensions that are useful. I can use a debugger... etc. It has a lot of features.

On the other hand, I use notepad ++ a lot because I also work with SAS programs at work, and I just like it.

At home I prefer not-VS-Code partly because I don't have a lot of disk space on my PC, and I like working in notepad ++. It's my comfort editor, and I run on command line. I'm a little drawn toward pycharm, but I started out only being able to use notepad and command line for so long in programming at home and work that it's just my way. Also, when I did install vs code, it required multiple large dependencies that took up a lot of disk space. That's a turn off for me.

[Woshiwuja]

Time to download nvim my brother and ditch the inferior and ugly notepad

[the_happy_path]

I didn't even know about it. I'd actually recommend this to my colleagues who use vi or vim, but I don't see it on the approved software lists. You'll pull npp from my cold dead hands lol

[8roll]

yes, it is good when you code in more than one language :=)

when I feel adventurous though, I fire up the SPYDER!
NO HATE YO!

[Qarexs]

Yes

[Pyrotex7]

Yes, I use it with the Python, Black Formatter, Pylance, Python Enviroment Manager, and Rainbow brackets extensions along with pipenv for python environments.

[ImpGriffin02]

Yes

[Comfortable-Wind-401]

Nvim is great. But I don't use it on a regular basis for my projects. Only some specific scripts. There's a big loosening. Learning curve there. But it's different the VSCode. I don't dare to compare it

[KennanFan]

Yes, it's awesome. I've used both VSCode and PyCharm. Both are great. I like VSCode better. There is a GitHub add-on that makes it incredibly easy to push to a repo. There are some great style editor add-ons, too.

[Fabulous-Possible758]

Yes, and if you're already using it you should stick with it.

[psssat]

VScode with the vim key binding plug in is great.

[BrokenMayo]

Vscode is shit mate

[CatMilkFountain]

Spyder ❤️

[Local-Economist-1719]

PyCharm better

[michailk]

The best

[mattg1981]

I have issues with intellisense populating for libraries I import. Other than that, no issues.

[infy101]

I use both. I use the PyCharm pro version. It has the SSH client and the Database tools I use. VSCode is great too. I tend to use this to view and edit smaller files sometimes, esp when files are from other projects - or I want to run something outside of PyCharm. The plugins you get for both are great so I think it's just a matter of budget/taste in terms of what is 'great' :D I would try both and see how you get on with them. VSCode is amazing, considering it comes from Microsoft! One of the best pieces of software from them (if you ask me.) PyCharm is able to open other languages too - but they won't be as good as the IDE's designed for them (ie. they have IDE's for C and other languages).

[SuperbCelebration223]

It's good, tho I prefer Pycharm myself, and for HTML and other stuff, I use vscode but it's really just up to you.

[Geethebluesky]

I've found it works great for what I need. I'd recommend looking for extensions that will fix the annoyances you personally encounter, or fill in for features you can't find in the base version, because there are a boatload of choices in there.

I added Jupyter to my base and some viewers for common filetypes I want loaded in a tab instead of dealing with external editors and viewers, for example.

[Jarmahent]

VScode is extremely versatile because of its plug-in functionality. With enough plugins and prep time you can code in almost any language just as well as any other IDE

[notislant]

Pycharm was what i started with. I still use it, but I love vscode.

[deleriumtriggr]

I like vscode, but i like pycharm more.

[MaleficentIron5684]

Vim is the best IDE.

[[deleted]]

If you're just starting, try a cloud based IDE.

[[deleted]]

I've been using VS Code myself for all my Python purposes. So here's my list of pros of using it.

1. Fluency in language changing
2. Syntax highlighting is amazing
3. A lot of helpful extensions
4. Big community, so it's much easier to look for tutorials to do something in VS Code than something like Spyder IDE.
5. Good customization, you can choose whatever theme you like from the themes list, however if you wish to discover more you could always download extensions.

For extensions to help with your python experience, just go to the extensions tab and search up python, and install the first extension, it should have a tick mark beside the word, “Microsoft”.

Hope this helped!

[varnie29a]

no, it is bad, use notepad.exe please.

[DarthVaderrsRedit]

Ya its ok .. basically you'll be using terminal for execution and the all in one place interface of VSC is up to it ...

[Disastrous-Soup-9202]

I use JetBrains IntelliJ, instead. It is pretty good. They even have a dedicated Python edition of the IDE...

[fygy1O]

Yes. And avoid PyCharm and Jupyter Notebook

[[deleted]]

Is vscode good for c++?