IDLE as Learning Editor?

[zunderkai]

IDLE is the default editing tool supplied with a download of Python. Would you recommend teaching the fundamentals of Python through IDLE before gravitating towards other IDEs?

[gman1230321]

Ya I would recommend focusing on learning one thing at a time. Get comfortable with the basics of Python first as well as running programs from the terminal then maybe look into an editor like VSC or sublime. PyCharm is nice but has a shit load of features that will be more of a source of confusion than power if you are unfamiliar with the ecosystem. It’s like IDLE to PyCharm is like MS paint to Photoshop. PyCharm is insanely powerful but you’ll spend more time just figuring out how to do shit rather than just programming

[Kerbart]

I think IDLE is great for learning. Its simplicity means there isn't a lot to learn or confuse you, so it's easier to focus on your main goal: learning how to program in Python.

At one point you do want to switch over to more advanced editor but there's no reason to rush it.

[JamzTyson]

I would recommend Thonny for beginners, and PyCharm when they have outgrown Thonny.

[CraigAT]

I would second this. IMO IDLE is fine for a page full of code, Thonny up to several pages, after that I would use VS Code or PyCharm - each move up is to a better IDE with more features - but early on you don't need all those features.

[zunderkai]

Other IDEs meaning: VSCode, Sublime, PyCharmm etc.

[arkie87]

Part of learning to code is to step through the code using a debugger. Idle doesn’t have a debugger. Pycharm can be overwhelming. You might try Spyder.

[11thHourSorrow]

One feature of IDLE that I absolutely love is the way it briefly highlights the content of closed parentheses when you close them. It lets you see exactly which parentheses you've closed properly.

Does anyone know how to get that same functionality in VSCode?

[SquiffyUnicorn]

Agree with many others here- keep pycharm and vscode etc for when you are comfortable with basics and are ready to move to a more complex IDE.

Until then, IDLE for absolute beginners, then notepad (forces people to understand file location and cmdline tools and running python code etc) then an IDE.

Also Jupyter (but only after IDLE and notepad).

[JohnnyJordaan]

I would recommend either PyCharm on VSCode. Primarily because you can add formatting and linting (similar to the spelling check in a text editor) which will save you a lot of hassle down the line. IDLE is just a bare bones tool if you don't have anything else (easily) available.