Python is a preferred language to code for some of the most well-known software and websites. But how does that process work? I mean, we know that there are these codes and stuff that make all this possible, and it’s all these codes and algorithms working to create a system. All of this needs the perfect environment to come together. Somewhere those codes could be developed, run, and tested. That’s where IDEs come in.
What is an IDE?
The Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is an application that allows for application development. They give the user a platform where they can write and compile the codes and run and test the code in a controlled environment with all the tools and features one might need for those processes. And debug the codes while it’s at it.
Now, to be an IDE, a minimum requirement has to be met with the features it provides. So it must at least have:
- A Source Code Editor
- A build automation
- A debugger
But yeah, these IDEs aren’t here just for getting the bare requirements right. So there they are. Just as the titles promised. The top ten.
Top 10 IDEs for Python (A Guide)
Pycharm
Developed by JetBrain, Pycharm is the preferred IDE for python programming among industry professionals. It is an efficient mode for coding as well as being neat and maintainable. It has an intelligent code editor and such features that make it more user friendly. The basic features are also integrated with profiling, deployment, remote development, and tools.
It also supports web development frameworks and features of JavaScript, Html, CSS, Angular JS, and Live edits. It features cross-platform development that lets developers write scripts on a different platform too. Along with that, Pycharm allows for interface customization that increases its productivity.
Spyder
While the Pycharm system is famous among professional software developers, Spyder has gained popularity on a different platform. Used by scientists and engineers for providing a robust scientific environment for Python, Spyder offers a more advanced form of features such as debugging, editing, and data exploration.
It can also be used as an extension. Its efficiency can be seen when dealing with bottleneck elimination and unchaining code performances. Its debugger traces every script’s steps and supports plugins and allows viewing of object documents and document modification.
Eclipse Pydev
Eclipse is another popular IDE made for Java coding. However, it has a plugin called Pydev that allows for Python coding in the application as well. This IDE focuses on code analysis, debugging graphical patterns, refactoring python codes, and other stuff along those lines.
It has features like code hinting, refactoring, code analysis, and Django Integration and codes coverage features. It provides the developer with adequate support while developing and coding. Along with the features mentioned above, it also gives the developers smart indent, Pylint integration, TODO tasks, and other such support. Along with that, it allows interactive probing in suspended mode.
IDLE
IDLE is a simple and basic IDE. Its mainly used by beginner developers who want to practice developing Python software. It is designed purely in Python using the Tkinter GUI. However, the cross-platform feature allows it to be flexible. It has a powerful debugger.
However, this IDE is used more as a transitional platform as most use it to learn the language before eventually moving onto more advanced IDEs. It does have features such as smart indents, dialog boxes, browsers, and call tips that make the learning process more comfortable.
Wing
Wing is an interactive python development tool that has a robust debugger and smart editor. Like, it has an immediate feedback system after writing the code. It is good at moving around the code with its go-to-definition. It can find the uses and symbols in the application and edit the symbol’s index, source, and do multiple file search effectively. Its also test-driven with numerous test-driven developments.
Wing is customizable and extensible. It can also be used for remote development. The errors are reported in a feasible order, and the app has provision for line editing. The source browser it has lets all the variables used in the script to be shown. Along with that, it has extract functions under its refactor panel, which also helps in performance.
Thonny
Thonny is another IDE for beginner programmers. It allows the user to check and see how the program runs. The debugging options are also pretty simple, with it being available with a few function keys. It automatically spots syntax errors. And function calls open up a new window with separate local variables. So, it is basically built to make it easy to learn and testing experience for novice developers.
Atom
Atom is a simple code editor preferred because of its simpler interface. It is a desktop application built through web technology with plugin support. Based on atom shells, a framework that helps achieve cross-platform functionality. So, yeah, that’s a part of its feature.
It also has a built-in package manager and a file system manager. It supports the user with auto-completion and multi-pane features that allow the search and replacement of text across the application. It is a relatively simpler IDE to work with a great support from the GitHub crew.
Vim
Vim is another popular open-source editor. It comes pre-installed in Mac and UNIX systems. It is used as a command-line interface, but that’s not the only way it is used. It can also be utilized as a standalone application.
It is a very persistent system with a multilayered undo tree. Coming with an extensive amount of plugins provides a wide range of support to many programming languages and files. There are separate modes in the application for normal work and editing work.
Eric Python
This one is special because it is developed in python itself. It has got an integrated plugin system that provides a simple extension to IDE functions. It is built using the QT toolkit. Many editors, configuration window layout, and many such features have advanced project management facilities, integrated class browsers, cooperative function, and source codes.
It includes many wizards for regex, QT dialogs, preview tools for QT forms, and translation. And it comes with a web browser and a spell check library.
Rodeo
Developed for data-science related tasks, Rodeo is one of the best IDE developed for the job. Supporting cross-platform functionality, which well by the pattern, must be a requirement for the top ten, allows for gathering data and information across different resources and plot for issues.
It supports all the functions required for data science and machine learning tasks. It lets the developer interact, compare, inspect, and plot using the data collected. And it has supporting documentation at the very last tab that helps with better understanding.