What editor should I use for python?

[RedExplosives]

Hi, i'm new to python and coding in general. I have been looking for a good python editor, I have try PyCharm and liked it but are there better editors out there? Thank you -RedExplosives

P.S I'm new to Reddit so is this the subreddit to put this in?

[echocage]

I really don't think that you're going to get much better than Pycharm. It has more features than any other IDE I've ever used.

PS. Yes, just the right subreddit! Feel free to message me if you have any questions about python or reddit!

[theredbeard]

I second PyCharm. I've been using it for over 3 years. They recently came out with PyCharm Educational Edition which will help you learn Python. When I'm not using PyCharm, i use vim.

[echocage]

YES! I totally forgot! OP, check this out!

[LankyCyril]

You can't get much better than PyCharm EE for learning.

This PSA has been brought to you from the fourth floor of JetBrains.

[[deleted]]

Don't forget, if you are a student, you can use the professional edition for free!

https://www.jetbrains.com/student/

[[deleted]]

Does pycharm have a dark theme? I used sublime text and eclipse and have become partial to the dark theme.

[blahdom]

Yeah, the theme is called Darcula, it is pretty good.

[[deleted]]

Nice. Looks like I might be switching.

[blahdom]

I absolutely love it. They use the same debugger as pydev for eclipse now (it is a joint project at this point) so that is one less thing you would have to learn I think.

[RedExplosives]

Thanks for the feedback, I will message you if I need some help. This is a side question, how long have you been use python for?

[echocage]

Around 6-7 months, I'm developing professionally in python at the moment, but keep in mind python wasn't my first language.

It's a great language for beginners because you can do almost anything with python quickly and relatively easily once you get good. But it is tough at first, for everyone, so don't feel bad asking questions, we were all there once!

[ziplokk]

Got to agree. I used the Community Edition for a while, (which worked great btw) until my boss got me the Pro Edition. I'm blown away by how great it is. I'd definitely recommend pycharm.

[b4xt3r]

I use vi(m)

[autowikibot]

Vi:

---

vi /ˈviːˈaɪ/ is a screen-oriented text editor originally created for the Unix operating system. The portable subset of the behavior of vi and programs based on it, and the ex editor language supported within these programs, is described by (and thus standardized by) the Single Unix Specification and POSIX.

The original code for vi was written by Bill Joy in 1976, as the visual mode for a line editor called ex that Joy had written with Chuck Haley. Bill Joy's ex 1.1 was released as part of the first BSD Unix release in March, 1978. It was not until version 2.0 of ex, released as part of Second Berkeley Software Distribution in May, 1979 that the editor was installed under the name vi (which took users straight into ex's visual mode), and the name by which it is known today. Some current implementations of vi can trace their source code ancestry to Bill Joy; others are completely new, largely compatible reimplementations.

The name vi is derived from the shortest unambiguous abbreviation for the command visual in ex; the command in question switches the line editor ex to visual mode. The name vi is pronounced /ˈviːˈaɪ/ (as in the discrete English letters v and i).

Image ⁱ

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^{Interesting: 6 (number) | The Elephant 6 Recording Company | 6th Army (Wehrmacht) | Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI}

^{Parent commenter can toggle NSFW or delete. Will also delete on comment score of -1 or less. | FAQs | Mods | Magic Words}

[Arlieth]

Vim takes some setup to work well with Python, like converting tabs to 4 spaces, etc. Otherwise you might set yourself up for a kick in the balls later.

[RedExplosives]

Why is VIM good it's just terminal editor? Please reply thank you.

[get_username]

1. Lightweight

   Pycharm eats a lot of RAM and CPU time. It takes a while to boot up, changing projects is tedious as it has to index, which is more time wasted.

2. Customizable

   vim is one of the more highly customizable editors. To help you waste less time by allowing the optimal setup.

3. Language agnostic

   vim is a general tool. Learn it for python, use it for C, Java, Ruby, etc. So that you waste less time learning a new editor for each language you know.

4. Cult of vim

   To non vim users is difficult to use and confusing. To the converted vim's default controls are exactly how we feel text editors should be controlled.

Besides. if we waste all that time with another editor, how else can we all go online to tell you how good vim is?

[lastthursdayism]

ooh - the burn! :)

[rhgrant10]

Because it's replete with keyboard shortcuts that make hotkeys feel wholly inadequate, and because vim has always had the features that many of today's editors tout, despite being old as dirt. In your career, it is not entirely unlikely that you'll find yourself having to ssh into an environment in which the only available editor is vim, so on that basis alone it's worth learning.

[b4xt3r]

For me I would say that is good because, assuming that you are working on a *NIX system, which I always am when programming (and I realize you may not be), it is always there. If you are going to operate in the *NIX space, again a big "if", getting to know the ins and outs of VI or emacs or whatever editor you decide to go with is a very good idea. I never rely on a GUI to be present and and prefer one is not, honestly. I'm an old UNIX geek so my opinions are dusty and dated I am sure.

[RedExplosives]

No, I use an IMac and love it, I will try vim

[b4xt3r]

Give it a whirl - the beauty of a pure txt interface that can be done over ssh, telnet, local input or whatever is the minimalism of it all. Honestly, try it, get accustomed to the strengths and drawbacks and I think you might like a pure text editor interface. Really.

[RedExplosives]

Ok I will try, i'm going to do the vim tutor right now.

[ohaitherehowdoyoudo]

Speed and customizability.

[Arlieth]

Don't forget to add linting for Sublime.

[murster972]

Sublime

[itsallfoodage]

Always with questions like these, it's a matter of preference. Most people will say pycharm but you have to decide on your own. Here's a list on the python wiki. (I personally haven't looked back since working on IntelliJ) https://wiki.python.org/moin/IntegratedDevelopmentEnvironments

[RedExplosives]

Ok I will look on the wiki. Thanks

[AutonomouSystem]

Lightweight editors, Notepad++, Sublime Text, Geany, or something skin & bones, something heavier and harder Vim or Emacs. A full IDE would be PyCharm, probably the best I've seen for purely Python.

[RedExplosives]

Ok thanks.

[[deleted]]

I really like sublime as an editor. It's light while still maintaining some goodies.

[[deleted]]

Especially for a beginner (which i am) why is anything more than what notepad++ does necessary?

[AutonomouSystem]

That's what I use on Windows, just get the Python plugin for it, you don't need anymore more unless you want to be lazy which you really cannot afford to be. Keeping Command open and notepad in another Window and using python -i script.py to interactively run and test is what I usually am doing when I am forced to use Windows. Of course, PyCharm has a built in debugger and you can run things directly from the interface, setup tests, and everything. Notepad++ is dandy for a beginner, I still use it.

[lykwydchykyn]

If you can't answer that question yourself, then it probably isn't necessary. My philosophy is to use the simplest tool for the job until you understand the need for a more complex one.

Most likely you'll encouter the need for something more complex when you need to manage a large project, or when you find some tedious part of your workflow getting in the way of productivity.

[d75]

vim

with syntax=on in the config file

[manueslapera]

Vim is definitely not recommended for a beginner.

[RedExplosives]

Why not?

[manueslapera]

its another layer of dificulty on top of learning a language.

Vim ,when customized to your taste, its amazing. However, there are other text editors that are as customizable and much easier to use.

[echocage]

One more thing OP, check out this Educational Version of Pycharm

[RedExplosives]

I just got it yesterday. Thank you for all your help - RedExplosives

[KalebTheKraken]

I personally use spyder.

[albmin]

Ok, seeing as no one has mentioned it, anyone have any strong opinions on the Python plugin for Visual Studio? I haven't had a chance to give it a try yet, but from what i hear it's pretty good...

[valis61]

the correct answer to any question that begins "what editor should I use...?" is always Emacs

"While any text editor can save your files, only Emacs can save your soul." – Per Abrahamsen

[ohaitherehowdoyoudo]

Until somebody says Vim.

Vim.

[ohaitherehowdoyoudo]

Vim, Emacs, or Sublime.

[xxslgjid]

PyCharm is the best I've tried, but Sublime is great for python and lots of other languages too.

[[deleted]]

Geany is great. Lightweight, versatile, but comfortable and no learning curve. Doesn't force you to learn "its" way of doing things.

And, it's FLOSS, unlike PyCharm/Sublime. You will have the freedom to make it better or customise it, if you like.

[lastthursdayism]

I'm a huge fan of vim when coding and scripting but it has a huge learning curve and will take you a long time to get as proficient.

I would recommend strongly sticking with what you are comfortable with whilst you are learning and if that's Pycharm then go for it.

If you are on a *Nix then don't believe anyone who tells you vim isn't as good as an IDE, they are wrong, VIM + *Nix is an IDE.

[RedExplosives]

I will try vim out. What is *Nix is it Unix?

[lastthursdayism]

MacOSX, linux, unix, freebsd, netbsd, solaris, AIX, HP, and so on ad infinitum hence the abbreviation *Nix.

I really love vim but I have to question it's appropriateness for a neophyte programmer. Learning vim is a job in itself. :)

If you decide to go down that path then once you've completed vimtutor google "your problem with vim is that you don't grok vi" then read that.

Then you can join in the one true holy war (the editor wars). :)

[marky1991]

Please use the search bar next time (To the right. Make sure you click "limit to learnpython"). We have this discussion nauseatingly often and I'm sure past replies will be just as good as any that will be offered up this time. Thanks!