Introduced in 1991 by its creator, Guido van Rossum, Python is one of the leading programming languages for automating specific repetitive tasks. The language has grown tremendously with the contributions of many developers/programmers. If you are new to programming, it is recommended that you start learning to program with Python. Python interpreters are available for various operating systems, such as Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Python is a general-purpose language, which means it can be used in many applications from Blender (3D modeling software) to web development. You can use the shell to learn or write Python code for small projects. However, if you want to work on larger projects, a dedicated code editors or integrated development environment (IDE) is highly recommended. Every Python IDE or code editors is different in functionality, user interface, and more. The Python community also recommends some mainstream tools.
Before continuing, let’s take a look at what IDEs and code editors are, and what the requirements for a good Python coding environment are.
2. IDE and code editor
Whether you’re new to this or a veteran, you’ll need an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) or code editors to showcase your coding skills and talents. An IDE is a software that combines common developer tools into a user-friendly GUI (Graphical User Interface). IDEs mainly include source code editors for writing software code, and feature tools for local automated construction of software, such as compiling computer source code. Finally, it has a debugger, a program for testing other programs. In addition to these features, IDEs can have many more features, and the features of each IDE are different.
A code editor is also software; it’s like a text editor with some additional features. It’s not an IDE because IDEs have many developer tools. Based on the language code in the editor, it highlights special keywords and gives some suggestions. Sublime Text, Atom, and Visual Studio Code are some popular code editors.
3. Requirements for a good Python coding environment
We list some of the main and standard features and requirements that each project needs during its build phase and beyond. A project can have more requirements than those mentioned below, but these are the basic ones that an IDE must have:
? Save and reload source code
The IDE or editor must be able to save your work and reopen everything at a later time you choose to experience; please traditionally, keep it in the state you left/stop working to save development time.
? Execute in the same environment
Have a built-in compiler to execute your code. If it can’t execute all the code in the same software environment, then it’s probably a text editor.
? Debugging support
The debuggers in most IDEs offer to step through the code and set breakpoints for partial execution of the code.
? Syntax highlighting
Being able to quickly spot keywords, variables, and symbols in code makes reading and understanding code easier.
? Automatic code formatting
This is an interesting feature. When developers use loops, functions, or any other block code, the code indents itself.
After having a general understanding, start the main dish…
4. Ten Best Python IDEs and Code Editors
To help you choose the best Python IDE, we’ve compiled a list of some popular Python IDEs. These recommended lists are based on features, the number of users, and positive feedback from each user’s experience; please see the list below:
1) Pydev
Platform: GNU/Linux/macOS/Windows/Solaris
Official website: https://www.eclipse.org/; http://pydev.org/
Type: IDE
Pydev
Eclipse An integrated development environment (IDE) traditionally designed for the Java language. Nonetheless, it can be used with other programming languages, including C/C++ and PHP, thanks to an excellent plugin or extension system mechanism. Pydev is a plugin that allows Eclipse to be used as a Python IDE; it also supports Jython and IronPython. Pydev uses advanced inference techniques to provide elements such as code completion and code analysis. The IDE also provides the following features: debugger, Django, interactive console, basic syntax highlighting, code coverage, and more. It is also one of the best IDEs for Django and the best Python editor.
Pydev is free, platform-independent, and promotes excellent integrity with the Eclipse world. Thanks to the efforts of developers and developing technology, python development is almost comparable to Java development on Eclipse, making the development experience more impressive and performant.
Advantage:
-Easy to learn, also includes multiple features (CPython, Jython, IronPython)
-Python coding via Pydev plugin on Eclipse ü Code auto-completion, and edition; was
-There developed code analysis, etc.
Cons:
– The user, interface is not very rich.
2) 2. Pycharm
Platform: Linux/macOS/Windows
Official website: https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/
Type: IDE
Pycharm
Pycharm is an integrated development environment (IDE) developed by JetBrains. It stands out from the competition for its productivity tools like quick fixes. It is available in three editions, an Apache-licensed community edition; an educational (Edu) edition, and a proprietary professional edition. The first two versions are open source and therefore free, while the pro version is paid.
The community edition is very interesting because it has different features such as syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and live code validation. The paid version has more advanced features such as full database management and many important frameworks that the community edition does not have, such as Django, Flask, Google App, Engine, Pyramid, and web2py.
Advantage:
– Active community support; ü Live code validation and syntax highlighting;
-Editing and debugging Python code without any external requirements.
defect:
ü Slow loading times; ü Default settings may need to be adjusted before existing projects can be used.
3) Sublime Text
Platform: Linux/macOS/Windows
Official website: http://www.sublimetext.com/
Type: Python Text editor
Sublime Text
Originally conceived as an extension to Vim, Sublime Text is a general-purpose text editor for C++ and Python coding. As of version 2.0, the software supports 44 major programming languages, including Python. It was first published in 2007 and was developed by Jon Skinner. To create this software, Jon Skinner used three principles:
-Discreet, minimal interface: we must be able to focus on text instead of countless toolbars; Text is not hidden by windows; Use as much space as possible: Full screen, multi-screen, side-by-side file editing should be possible.
Thanks to different plugins and packages, once you install Sublime Text as a Python IDE, you get a high-quality and powerful IDE that allows you to develop in Python very easily. It combines most of the functionality of a basic Python text editor, including customizable syntax highlighting.
Advantage:
-Fast speed with few errors (great advantage)
-Opens large files ü Supports multiple languages
Cons:
It-Difficult to modify, everything goes through JSON.
-Permission required.
–There is no shortcut to learning
4) Visual Studio Code
Platform: Linux/macOS/Windows
Official website: https://code.visualstudio.com
Type: IDE
Visual Studio Code
Developed by Microsoft for Windows, Linux, and OS, VS Code is an extensible code editors, not to be confused with Visual Studio. Indeed, VS Code is small but full-featured, and the software is open-sourced under the MIT license; that’s what distinguishes Visual Studio from VS Code. The first version of VS Code was released on April 29, 2015, and VS Code is functionally comparable to Atom. Indeed, just like Atom, VS Code is built on Electron, which means that the two programs have nearly the same advantages and disadvantages.
VS Code is a Microsoft project with the largest number of contributors on GitHub. The move raised Microsoft’s profile and positioned it as one of the major players in community software. In this case, you can add a new language, such as Python, to the environment. Just download and install the appropriate plugin to adapt to the environment. The code is enhanced by integrating features such as a powerful code completion engine (IntelliSense), a debug console, and a terminal to launch server commands. VS Code is also considered to be the best code editor by many programmers.
The overall design of VS Code is very good, and its main advantage is that it provides an extension-based architecture. Because the IDE is lightweight, it can be extended as needed by adding successive components.
Advantage:
-Over 4700 extensions ü Powerful code management engine
-Import keyboard shortcuts on demand from other Python editors such as Sublime Text or Atom
Cons:
-With thousands of extensions available, it can be difficult to find the one that best suits your needs.
5) Vim
Platform: Linux/macOS/Windows
Official website: https://www.vim.org
Type: Text editor
Vim
Vim is a text code editor, a code editors that allows manipulating text files. Its source code was first released in 1991 by its lead developer, Bram Moolenaar. Since then, the software has been continuously developed and improved with contributions from developers as well as the developer community. What sets Vim apart from most other Python text editors is its mode of operation. Note that Vim has three basic modes: insert mode, normal or command mode, and command-line mode.
Vim is free software and can be customized to a large extent by adding extensions or modifying its configuration files, which means you can adapt it to develop in Python very easily. The software includes features such as multi-buffer support for simultaneous file editing, automatic indentation to suit the language and more. To download Vim, just click on this link https://www.vim.org/download.php.
Advantage:
-The software is feature-rich and provides a good user experience through community support. -Recognition and conversion of file formats (UNIX, MS-DOS, or Mac)
Cons:
-Not enough innovative features
6) GNU/Emacs
Platform: Linux/macOS/Windows
Official website: https://www.gnu.org
Type: Text editor
GNU/Emacs
Emacs (Editing MACroS on TECO), created by Richard Stallman in 1976, is a series of text editors with extensible functionality. This free software is very popular in the developer community.
Richard Stallman insists on the fact that the software must be completely free and customizable, with no restrictions on programming. A few years later, Emacs appeared in many versions, including GNU Emacs installed by Richard Stallman in 1984 and XEmacs in 1991. GNU Emacs uses a powerful extension language called Emacs Lisp, which supports advanced tasks such as writing, compiling programs, surfing the web, reading email, and forum discussions.
The software is free to download and works on all platforms. GNU Emacs uses a variety of custom scripts for development in many languages, including Python.
For Python development, you can use the Elpy extension on Emacs to work with Python projects. This software is very feature rich. Among its many features, such as the atom syntax highlighting to distinguish document elements such as keywords and comments; automatic indentation in files to have a consistent format, etc.
Advantage:
-Free and fully customizable software. ü Automatic insertion of elements required for document structure, such as spaces, newlines, brackets, etc.;
-24-bit color-coding support for terminals that support it
Cons:
-Programming beginners are not easy to use
7) Atom/Atom-IDE
Platform: Linux/macOS/Windows
Official website: https://atom.io/
Type: IDE
Atom/Atom-IDE
Atom includes most of the functionality of the base IDE. Its features include syntax highlighting and auto-completion. Atom developers are working on integrating major programming languages like Rust or Go. Atom continues to make progress in improving performance, and the developers pay close attention to the needs and opinions of the community and strive to make the user experience more valuable. The wait time to open the software has been improved, and the time required for important calculations has been slightly improved to reduce latency. Still, more and more progress is expected in the coming months. It’s considered one of the best code editors with a beautiful UI.
Atom is one of the best Python text editors.
One of the reasons for Atom’s success is its fully customizable interface. You can change everything from the interface to the basic functionality. On the other hand, this rather favorable move is also one of the root causes of procedural delays. But overall, Atom is still a very useful and powerful IDE, and we look forward to program updates.
Advantage:
-Fully customizable interface ü Excellent documentation help
-Provides almost everything VS Code has to provide
Cons:
-Excessive RAM consumption ü Needs further improvement in system latency and optimization. ü Not suitable for handling large code files
8) IDLE
Platform: Linux/macOS/Windows
Official website: https://docs.python.org/3/library/idle.html
Type: IDE
IDLE
Guido Van Rossum released the Integrated Development and Learning Environment (IDE) for Python development in December 1998. It is a simple IDE, so it is suitable for beginners. It includes a multi-window text editor with syntax highlighting and an integrated debugger with debugging features such as step-by-step, persistent breakpoints, and call stack visibility.
Advantage:
-Use can to execute a single statement.
-Used to create, modify and execute Python scripts.
-Provides functions such as syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and smart indentation.
-Have a debugger with single stepping and breakpoints.
Cons:
-IDLE is not available by default in Python distributions for Linux.
-It requires a corresponding package manager to install.
9.) Spyder
Platform: Linux/macOS/Windows
Official website: https://github.com/spyder-ide/spyder
Type: IDE
Spyder
Pierre Raynaud created the first version of Spyder, named Pydee, in 2008. It’s cross-platform and under a non-copyleft license (non-copyleft free software is released by its author with a license for redistribution and modification). Thanks to their contributions, the Python scientific community has been maintaining Spyder since 2012. It’s one of the best code editors.
Spyder has basic functions such as syntax highlighting and auto-completion and also integrates many scientific use libraries, such as Matplotlib, Numpy, IPython, and Scipy. It’s open-source and free, and it’s very easy to install thanks to the Python package manager.
It provides a unique combination of advanced analysis, debugging, editing, interactive execution, in-depth inspection, and visualization capabilities of scientific software packages. These main components are the interactive console, documentation viewer, variable browser, development tools, etc.
Advantage:
-Community support ü Rich development tool features
-Complete documentation
Cons:
– Execution dependencies
-Optional dependencies
10) Thonny
Platform: Linux/macOS/Windows
Official website: https://thonny.org
Type: IDE
Thonny
Thonny is an integrated development environment (IDE). Developed by the University of Tartu in Estonia, the software primarily aims to make coding easier for Python beginners by providing them with a simple, lightweight IDE. Still, with great features, it’s a bit of a beginner’s kit. Therefore, the software is especially suitable for beginners who want to start programming and development with Python and is therefore completely unsuitable for development experts.
We isolate the user interface from all functions that might distract beginners. This is a well-thought-out course teaching IDE for beginners who want to develop with Python quickly, easily, and simply.
Advantage:
-IDE for beginners to learn ü basic and functional user interface
-Does not require a lot of memory to run
Disadvantage:
-If you are an experienced developer, this software is not for you.
-Only basic functions
5. How to choose the best Python IDE in 2022?
For beginners, there are many IDEs with basic features to choose from; discover, this environment, and about your get familiar with each feature before going to the next level. For experienced developers, the choice of IDE should be based on the needs of large projects, the IDE’s performance, and support for advanced features. Here is a list for reference:
2022 IDE for Python
6. Finally
Python is one of the most famous languages, maybe even the most popular. You can find plenty of useful, useful, and powerful IDEs to choose from, whether they’re paid or free.
If you have a better IDE recommendation, please recommend it and tell us about your experience.
