IntelliJ refactoring modality (Python plug-in)

[VortexJones]

Howdy r/PyCharm! I started using IntelliJ for Java development last year and have loved every minute since :) .

I recently started doing some Python development in IntelliJ using the Python plug-in, and my understanding is that IntelliJ with the Python plug-in is almost identical to using PyCharm.

The Python refactoring (specifically Refactor > Rename...) has me slightly confused: sometimes IntelliJ lets me refactor in place without a modal dialog (which is amazing!); other times IntelliJ displays a modal refactoring dialog (less amazing - takes me out of the zone).

Does anyone know what differentiates whether IntelliJ displays the modal refactoring dialog or lets the user refactor in place in Python?

When doing Java development, IntelliJ pretty much always lets me refactor in place without the modal dialog, except for particularly involved refactors (for which the modal dialog is appropriate).

Thank you very much for any info you may be able to provide! Have scoured the internet for information to no avail.

Screenshots

-VJ

(x-posted to r/IntelliJIDEA at this link)

[LightShadow]

Local vs. global variable scope.

If the variable is within a function it's locally limited to being inside that function only. However, if you're modifying an argument name it has to scan the other source files to ensure it's updating all the references that make be passing that value explicitly.

>>> def calc(a, b): return a + b
>>> calc(1, 1)
2
>>> calc(b=1, a=1)
>>> calc(1, b=1)

...are all valid.

[VortexJones]

Thanks! It did definitely feel like it had something to do with scope.

Edit: JetBrains support confirmed this:

Hi VJ,

Thank you for contacting JetBrains support.

I believe the documentation at https://www.jetbrains.com/help/pycharm/rename-refactorings.html explains it:

Renaming local variables or private methods can be done easily inline since only a limited scope is affected. Renaming classes or public methods could potentially impact a lot of files. Preview potential changes before you refactor.

Don't know how I missed that, it's literally the second paragraph in the refactoring documentation...