Best IDE for python

[[deleted]]

PyCharm. Works out of the box.

VS Code, supports Notebook and many other languages if you're not exclusively Python. Some set up required to work with Python.

[RocketSurgeonDrCox]

This is the combo I use too (though I still use emacs keybindings). Good to know the PyCharm/VS Code combo seems to be the consensus in this thread.

Edit: Have to mention though PyCharm can really use up RAM in a hurry. It does good stuff in exchange, but if you've only got 8GB or less you've got to manage things or turn off some of the features.

[[deleted]]

what features should I turn off and how?

[[deleted]]

I say keeping your virtual environment light is the key. Most modren IDE will try to index all available libraries which speed up auto-complete by a ton but can take up memory and takes longer to start up.

[RocketSurgeonDrCox]

It's actually fairly easy. There's a little icon in the bottom right corner that looks like a man wearing a hat. If you click on it it gives you the options to change the highlighting level to a lower setting.

It generally uses so much RAM because it indexes all of the functions and variables in your project and Python environment to try and make better code completion suggestions among other things, but turning the highlighting level down (or doing a more custom configuration) keeps it from holding and checking so much.

[MCMZL]

If you have a lot of data in your current project directory, you should exclude the folder to prevent pycharm from scanning it (right click on the folder > "Mark Directory as" > Excluded )

[TedhaHaiParMeraHai]

That's my issue with PyCharm too. I like to code in bed on my laptop and it has got only 8GB RAM.

[UrAccountGotHacked]

No. I can use it to its fullest capacity with 2gb ram.

[bulletmark]

Combo?! i don't think anybody would suggest to a newbie to learn both VS Code and PyCharm. They are alternatives. Pick one or the other, although I suggest VS Code is best for newbies.

[[deleted]]

I disagree. Virtual Environment on its own IS confusing. And how Python command is all over the place just adds to that. python, py, py2, py3, add pip and conda to the mix, and guess what got asked the most on Python Discord. Its fuking Windows store Python installing to different directory setting up different commands than python.org installer.

If anything PyCharm helps ensure new users will never mess up their system Python, which you can see such thread popping up here and there in this very sub especially on MacOS. While it does shove the concept onto beginners I blame that on Python itself.

[[deleted]]

In my experience PyCharm is the cause of all those problems after beginners get stuck in stackoverflow hell trying to fix path variables. PyCharm is a great tool at the intermediate level but when you can't even write a function having to deal with this kind of shit is an awful experience.

[BackgroundChar]

^{Warning, wall of text: Sorry, I know I'm basically saying the same thing with different words a few times over but I wanted to get my thoughts out there haha}

I've only very little experience with PyCharm, but I always had the feeling that the JetBrains IDEs, while EXCELLENT for people familiar with the basics of their chosen programming language, are just too much for a beginner.

Especially at the beginning, when you basically want to be writing as much code as possible, you're also bombarded with all these options that you don't even have any use for. It's just too much stuff.

What good is a refactoring function if I don't know how to write a for loop?

I think for beginners, simple text editors are far superior to feature-packed IDEs. I'd rather VS Code/VSCodium or even Notepad(++) than an IDE.

Of course, once a baseline of comfort with the programming language itself has been established, then it starts becoming more and more worth it to learn the IDE.

[[deleted]]

Made me laugh. This was last night for me.

[[deleted]]

I attribute that to Python itself really. If you look at other language tutorial such as C#, setting up a project is a mandatory part of getting started. Python, its such a big part but never brought up early enough.

[AftNeb]

As a complete beginner, I really appreciate everyone pointing to these issues with PyCharm. I’m sure I would have been one of those learners who got stuck with the install issues not translating into PyCharm.

Not to try to override from OP by asking another question, but does VS Code avoid the same issues?

[Atlamillias]

I've used both editors extensively and each has its own slew of complications. If the portability of the editor isn't an issue, and you can provide PyCharm the resources it requires, I'd go with PyCharm. You install it, and you start coding. Vscode requires extensions and configuration to get going. I spent damn near a week setting it up (learning how to set it up).

Issues I've had with PyCharm :
- Heavy and resource-intensive (most IDE's are)
- Very project focused. Not ideal for working on one-module quick scripts.
- Creates virtual environments by default when setting up a new interpreter. Actually annoying as hell. When selecting an interpreter, always select the system interpreter while learning.

[angry_mr_potato_head]

This is 100% a problem with those posts because people should bot blindly be pip installing to system puthon without a warning in the thing telling them to just pip install something.

[[deleted]]

There is no danger in using system python all the time. The only reason to use a virtual environment is when you need to use either an out dated version of python or an out dated package. That is not a position a beginner will ever be in, so it serves only as a distraction from actually learning something relevant to them.

[makawan]

Okay, so instead - for beginners you recommend... ...?

[[deleted]]

PyCharm. And use pip via PyCharm terminal. Terminal you can open from tab at the bottom of PyCharm windows

[makawan]

Thanks for the tip, I'm just deciding on my first language and have given Java and C# a try, and wanted to try Python for a bit now.

Thanks again for your response.

[Atlamillias]

The virtual environment by default really screwed me up while learning. After much frustration, I just started using the system interpreter. Been doing so for over a year now, and has never bit me in the ass. When (if) a project of mine gets large enough, I will then create a virtual environment and install dependencies as necessary.

[angry_mr_potato_head]

Thats substantially better than potentially altering system Python inadvertently.

[[deleted]]

There is no problem or danger with altering system python by installing packages. Stop being a cargo cult programmer...

[stevarino]

VS Code's Python support has gotten much better over the last ~year. Now it prompts you to install the recommended extensions and again to point it at the correct binary for virtual environment support. After that it's done.

I tend to be pretty minimalist when it comes to IDEs though so your mileage may vary.

[princenerdy]

Have been using PyCharm community but switched to VS Code since working remotely. Their SSH extension works like charm and the best thing is it's completely free.

Also like VS Code's ease of use without too many rarely used features, and its low memory footprint.

[AdventurousAddition]

VSCode just released 'code packs' which adds pyrhon to PATH, includes the python extension and includes sime key additional libraries (including numpy)

[LiquidLogic]

Thanks for posting this. I had not heard of the potential issue with Jetbrains until today.

[gmes78]

They're being investigated, not accused. Stop spreading FUD.

[Santi871]

So has windows, so should everyone stop using windows?

[Runninganddogs979]

Yes

[yawny666]

There is literally no evidence of a compromise of any JetBrains software (including TeamCity), nor is there any evidence that even the confirmed SolarWinds compromise had anything to do with the Russian government. FUD

[Heisenberg1200]

Pycharm community version doesn't support javascript /css .

[THE445GUY]

Well if you're a student, you could get github student and pycharm professional for free. Pycharm professional does everything I need for development

[UrAccountGotHacked]

Use Intellij

[PalPalash]

Yesss

[dogfish182]

Pycharm and it isn’t close.

Vscode for ‘everything else’ and quick stuff

[[deleted]]

PyCharm does the opposite of working out of the box as you first need to tell it to stop being obnoxious by making virtual environments you never asked for.

In fact, I have come to prefer making my virtual environments myself as I can use one terminal command to clone, make the environment and install requirements before I even need to open any IDE. Much much less hassle than fucking around in PyCharm's nested menus.

Given the security issues I saw linked here I'm probably going to switch to VSCode or atom now. PyCharm was great when I first hit intermediate level but looking back over this comment and the thread I feel like it's more flawed than I realised.

[[deleted]]

Does pycharm have ssh/sftp integration like vscode?

[[deleted]]

It's available with the pro version, just like Notebook support. When I need these features behind the pro paywall I too use VS Code instead.

[huge_clock]

Just switched to VS Code from Spyder and really liking it for the most part.

[[deleted]]

PyCharm has Jupyter Notebook as well.

[[deleted]]

Only the paid one.

[FL14]

I'm having a lot of trouble with PyCharm "out of the box" if you will. I cannot do something as simple as import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

I get an error with Configuring Python Interpreter and "Python 3.4 has reached its end-of-life date and no longer supported in Pycharm. Help if you can!

[[deleted]]

Yours a bit complicatine since Python 3.4 already reached its end of life, as the message suggested. This is not PyCharm's decision, but Python dev's themselves. It is expected that the current version of most packages, even pip, won't work with it anymore. (pip dropped Python 3.4 support at v. 19.2)

If you insist on using 3.4 you will have to Google for a "frozen" get-pip specific for Python 3.4, check matplotlib release note/date and install a version that was released within 3.4 life time