There’s no better way to write Python code than with an integrated development environment (IDE). Not only do they make your work easier and more logical, they also improve the programming experience and efficiency. Everyone knows this. The question is how to choose the best Python development environment from among the many options. Beginning developers often face this problem. In this article, we’ll outline the most popular Python IDEs for programmers, as well as other options worth considering. Before that, let’s take a look at what an IDE is.
What is an IDE and what does it do?
An IDE is a software package that developers use to create programs. It maximizes programmer productivity by integrating multiple, highly interrelated components through a simple user interface. Essentially, an IDE is a tool that improves the process of creating, testing and debugging code by making these tasks easier.
The tools used by the IDE include
- Text editors
- Compilers and/or interpreters
- assembly automation tool
- Debugger (debugger)
There is a term similar to IDE – code editor. Let’s explore the similarities and differences between the two.
What is a code editor?
A code editor is a text editor that highlights the syntax and arranges the layout of the code. An advanced code editor allows you to develop and modify code.
Salient features of IDEs and code editors
What are the common advantages of IDEs and code editors? They both help developers to.
- Store and reopen scripts
- Run code
- debug
- Highlighting syntax
The most popular IDEs for Python developers
1. PyCharm
Download at: https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download/
PyCharm is developed by JetBrains, a leading software development company, and is considered the best IDE for Python when it comes to artificial intelligence and machine learning. It is considered the best Python IDE when it comes to artificial intelligence and machine learning. most importantly, Pycharm merges several libraries (such as Matplotlib and NumPy) to help developers explore more available options.
Compatibility: Windows, MacOS, Linux
Major plugins and features.
Built-in developer tools
Remote development capabilities
Real-time editing mode
IPython Notebook
Pros.
PyCharm supports web development frameworks such as Pyramid, Flask, and Django.
Provides smart code features to perform more accurate and faster bug fixes.
Allows program development on remote hosts with the help of Docker and Vagrant connections and ssh terminals.
Disadvantages.
A cumbersome interface
High cost of its advantages
2. Visual Studio Code
Download: https://code.visualstudio.com/Download
Visual Studio Code is sometimes confused with Visual Studio IDE, which is not a common tool for Python users. VS Code is a complete code editor with many great features and many programmers call it the best IDE editor.
**Compatibility:** Windows, Linux, Mac OS
Major plugins and features.
Built-in git
Custom tool extension plugin
Breakpoint debugging
Interactive console
Pros.
Its Electron framework allows developers to use VS Code on almost any platform.
Debug directly in the editor.
Supports multiple keyboard shortcuts to speed up programming.
Disadvantages.
Limited debug functionality.
No built-in templates. 3.
3. Sublime Text
Download at: https://www.sublimetext.com/
Sublime Text is considered to be the best Python editor because it is simple, versatile, and easy to use. It is widely used and can be used on different platforms.
**Compatibility:** Windows, Linux, Mac OS
Major plugins and features.
Easy navigation for high performance
Support for different packages to customize the editor
Copy common code snippets with just one keyword
Instant project switching and split editing
Pros.
Can handle multiple markup languages.
Allows users to select the project they want to work on
Has important tools that can provide class and function wide indexing.
Provides a powerful API and organized ecosystem for high performance.
Disadvantages.
Too advanced for newbies.
Its git plugin is not particularly powerful. 4.
4. vi/vim
Download at https://www.vim.org/
Vim is in the top 5 of the best Python IDE tools. It is a modal editor that splits files from a “file editor”. Compared to the original Vi, Vim is a huge improvement and much more powerful.
**Compatibility:** Windows, Linux, Mac OS, IOS, Android, UNIX, AmigaOS, MorphOS
Major plug-ins and features.
Its scripts allow to perform almost any programming task with Python.
Ctags to help enable better tag navigation.
Built-in basic vocabulary completion.
Pros.
Has a keyboard interface to improve efficiency.
Support for multiple plugins (e.g. version control tools, file management tools).
Different extensions (e.g. highlighting search results) through .vimrc files.
Disadvantages.
Clunky interface, which some developers find inconvenient to use.
Its modal editor takes some time for the user to learn.
5. GNU Emacs
Download at https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/emacs.html
GNU Emacs is also a strong contender for the best Python editor. It is often described as extensible, self-documenting, and real-time display. Although it is not the latest in the industry, it is frequently upgraded to meet the needs of developers.
**Compatibility:** Windows, Linux, Mac OS, IOS, Android, UNIX, AmigaOS, MorphOS
Major plug-ins and features.
Uses Lisp programming language
Syntax coloring
Unicode support
Pros.
Lisp as a second language helps programmers to program better.
Emacs is compatible with many different platforms.
Offers a large number of custom scripts for developers to use.
Disadvantages.
Users may need to spend a little more time to learn the complex customization process of the editor.
A little more complicated to use than some other IDEs. 6.
6. IDLE
Download at: https://docs.python.org/3/library/idle.html
The IDLE code editor is popular with students, and it comes with an editor for Python. The editor is simple to use, versatile, and supports different devices. Developers can use IDLE to learn the basics before using more complex tools.
**Compatibility:** Windows, Linux, Mac OS
Main plug-ins and features.
tkinter GUI Toolkit
Multi-window interface
Configurable with dialogs, browsers, etc.
Advantages.
Allows users to highlight errors, auto-code, and perform accurate identification.
Lightweight Python shell.
Has built-in fixes to improve performance.
Allows users to search and replace files in the editor.
Disadvantages.
Does not support copying to libraries.
Scripts cannot exceed 100 lines of code.
The best Python compatible IDE for machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data
Python is one of the top languages for machine learning, artificial intelligence, big data, and more. This section describes the IDEs for Python development in these areas.
7. Atom
Download at https://atom.io/
Atom is an open source editor that is compatible with almost all programming languages such as PHP, Java, etc. It is regularly updated, reliable, and versatile, and Github has developed powerful features for Atom to provide a great programming experience, including several plugins such as the SQL queries package, the Markdown Preview Plus package, as well as editing, visualizing, and rendering LaTeX. Github has developed powerful features for Atom to provide a great programming experience, including several plugins such as the SQL queries package, the Markdown Preview Plus package, and packages for editing, visualizing, and rendering LaTeX formulas.
8. Spyder
Download at: https://www.spyder-ide.org/
Spyder was developed for data science. It is an open source tool that is compatible with a large number of platforms, making it a better choice for novice IDE users. For perfect development, it incorporates several key libraries such as NumPy, Matplotlib and SciPy.
9. JuPyter/IPython Notebook
Download at: https://jupyter.org/
Jupyter is a web-based editor that allows developers to build and run scripts or notebooks. it is relatively simple and more user-friendly. jupyter also uses Seaborn and Matplotlib to perform data visualization.
Other Python development IDEs
This section will introduce some of the lesser known and popular but equally worthwhile IDEs.
10. Eclipse + PyDev
Download at https://www.eclipse.org/ https://www.pydev.org/
Eclipse is an open source editor and one of the preferred Python IDEs for Windows. Its extensions and plugins are expensive enough to build everything you want to build. eclipse is complemented by PyDev extensions for intelligent debug and improved code quality.
11. Eric Python
Download at: https://eric-ide.python-projects.org/
Eric is another less popular Python IDE, but it’s powerful and efficient. Whether for business or private use, Eric offers the right features. It runs on all platforms.
12. Wing
Download at https://wingware.com/
Wing is a well-known Python IDE that enables intelligent programming. Its editor is easy to use, debugger is powerful, supports remote programming, error checking and other features, and is worth a try.
13. PyScripter
Download at https://sourceforge.net/projects/pyscripter/files/latest/download
PyScripter beats other Python IDEs for Windows with its great features. it is also a good Python IDE for Mac, and its commercial version supports most programming languages. pyScripter has a rich feature set, but is also very lightweight.
14. Pyzo
Download at https://pyzo.org/start.html
Pyzo is a free open source programming tool that can be used with any Python interpreter, even the Conda environment. Its two most prominent features are simplicity and interactivity. It is easy to use and perfect for novices.
15. Thonny
Download at https://thonny.org/
Thonny was developed by the University of Tartu and is suitable for novice programmers. Its interface does not have any complex or redundant features and is easy to get started. Another good thing for newbies is that you can see how Python evaluates your expressions in each step.