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Best IDE for Beginner Python Programmer

by Shabina Siddique Software Engineer
If you have recently started learning Python but just can't decide, what code editor or IDE you should go for? Please read this article.

Usually new programmers use IDLE while learning, but when they move to complex projects where they require auto complete, debugger and source control, they have to go with IDE.

Being engaged in development professionally or just starting to study it, it is desirable to have a programming environment for working out examples in order to visually see the results of the written code. Let's take a closer look at the main tools to simplify the process of writing Python programs.

PyCharm
PyCharm is one of the first IDE that comes to the beginner programmers, because it is widely used by Python community. But newbies gets frustrated because PyCharm is too complicated and sophisticated  and lots of things are not clear when you are using it for the first time. If you want to compere PyCharm with Spyder or Jupyter

PyCharm is now considered the best development environment for Python, not only for Windows, but also for other operating systems . Available in both free and paid versions. The latter is naturally intended for more professional use. By the way, you can run and check and debug code directly from the application.

For each project, you can create a separate virtual environment. This allows you to maintain your project with the correct library versions.

Disadvantages usually include slow loading (especially if the computer is not very powerful) and the need to adjust parameters to fit them for a specific project. Also, if you use the free version, then you need to know that it does not support the web development and database editing.

Thus, if you are going to develop a website using the Django framework and want to use PyCharm, you need the paid version. PyCharm has the best Django support. Paid version also allows remote debugging of the code.

Atom
Atom is a code editor, often used by web developers, it is available on all platforms and has a large selection of extensions. With the help of extensions, you can enable support for the Python language.  Atom and sublime are comparable code editors.

The advantages include its light weight and quick installation compared to IDE. If we talk about the shortcomings, then it initially lacks assembly and debugging of the code. Atom is written using the Electron framework.

The text editor has built-in GIT support. Using plugins, you can customize not only syntax highlighting, but also a lot of useful things , such as:
* Console at the bottom of the editor window;
* Automatically copy edited files to a remote computer.


WingIDE is another that you can try but it comes with limited features in free edition. Customization and syntax highlighting is not possible if its not paid edition.

PyScript is one more option, but if your code deals with pictures and canvas, it has a display problem.

Python programmers also use Thonny which works fine. The only problem I found with it is that every time you make any change in the code, you have to save it before you run the code.

Notepad ++
This is one of the variants of the standard Notepad, but more advanced. The application supports multiple programming languages, it can highlight syntax and errors, if any. A huge plus is its low weight, which allows you to quickly start up, even if the computer is not too modern . Notepad++ also allows external extensions, bookmarks and compiler integration.

Fine code editor, users mostly use it as a text editor. Plugins are available, everything is customizable. But I still give it 6 out 10.

Sublime Text
One of the most common code editors, it is available on all platforms and has built-in Python syntax support, as well as many interesting extensions and plugins to increase your editing capabilities.

Its advantages include high uptime, quick response and excellent user support. The disadvantages usually include the fact that it is not free, it initially lacks tools for debugging and running code.

Sublime Text is shareware. If you have not bought a license, then periodically warn, asking you to purchase a license.

The good thing about sublime is that there is nothing superfluous, everything can be customized using plugins.

Online editors for Python
Some people prefer to use editors on the Internet. The most popular and convenient ones are:
  • Python Fiddle - Allows you to code in Python by connecting external libraries. There is a code highlighting function, It also import from external resources.
  • IDE One is a great debugging tool and compiler that supports a wide variety of programming languages. Its most obvious disadvantage is advertising.

Conclusion
IDEs are considered tools that help you create code, test it, debug it. In order to get started quickly with any programming language, it is recommended to install an IDE. Everything in it is ready to create a project, launch it and debug it. In order to make adjustments to the Python script, a text editor is also suitable. Using plugins, you can make your text editor more functional. Over time, the differences between text editors and IDEs diminish.

When choosing a Python programming environment, you should pay attention to Atom text editors. In terms of speed, it is inferior to Sublime Text, but its configuration is simpler. It is newer, but it already has plugins that implement things that are not in Sublime Text. Among IDEs, PyCharm is now the undisputed leader . Unfortunately, it has Django support in the paid version. Therefore it is worth taking a closer look at other options.

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About Shabina Siddique Junior   Software Engineer

3 connections, 0 recommendations, 19 honor points.
Joined APSense since, September 15th, 2020, From Kansas City, United States.

Created on Sep 16th 2020 13:53. Viewed 385 times.

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