Table of Contents
Technology plays a supreme role in the growth of wealthy countries. Technological progress allows more and better goods and services. The prosperity of the country depends on goods and services. Hence, technology is a driving force increasing the inequalities among the nations. Therefore, it is extremely helpful in building the prosperity of the country. Technology development uses various languages. As per Stack Overflow Trends, Python language has been growing worldwide. Python IDEs [Integrated Development Environments] or code editors are essential for making programs.
With the contribution of developers, Python language has evolved enormously. Nowadays, it is one of the most popular programming languages. It was primarily designed to build websites, software and artificial intelligence. Python IDEs are used to make software programmes. Choosing the type of IDE depends upon the requirements of the developers.
1. IDLE
Characteristics
Python installs IDLE as a default editor with it. It is generally suitable for entry-level developers. Moreover, it is an open-source IDE. Operating systems, for instance, Windows, Mac and Linux support it.
Merits
The following are the merits of IDLE:
- Best suitable for educational programmes among all the Python IDEs
- Auto-completion
- Good and capable debugger
- Basic text editor
- Search multiple files
- Great flexibility for the developer
Demerits
Besides having many merits, IDLE has some demerits also. Listed as under:
- Less suitable for big applications
- Generally suitable for entry-level programmers
Therefore, above are the characteristics, merits and demerits of IDEL.
2. PyCharm
Characteristics
PyCharm is a full-featured IDE among all the Python IDEs. Moreover, it is suitable for vast programme development. Operating systems, for instance, Mac, Windows and Linux support it. It comes with a code editor, code navigation, debugging tool, quick refactoring, etc. It also supports web development programmes like JavaScript, CSS, HTML and others.
Merits
The following are the merits of PyCharm:
- Widely used Python IDE
- Smart code editor
- Generally suitable for large projects
- Safe code factoring
- Direct access to databases from the IDE
Demerits
Besides having many merits, PyCharm has some demerits also. Listed as under:
- Difficult to install
- Hangs up in between
- Takes a longer time to load
Therefore, above are the characteristics, merits and demerits of PyCharm.
3. Sublime Text
Characteristics
Sublime Text is the best code editor among all the Python IDEs. Moreover, it is compatible with all platforms. It is also suitable for vast programming. Sublime Text supports mark-up languages.
Merits
The following are the merits of Sublime Text:
- Best code editor
- Generally support huge programmes
- Speedy programmes development
- Syntax highlighting
- Reliable in cross-platform
- Customise user’s commands
- Easy navigation
- Generates a vast index of each class, method and function
- Allows instant project switch
Demerits
Besides having many merits, Sublime Text has some demerits also. Listed as under:
- No free version is available
- Generally, no debugging is supported
Therefore, above are the characteristics, merits and demerits of Sublime Text.
4. Atom
Characteristics
GitHub develops Atom. It is an open-source code editor and supports Python development. Atom helps to achieve cross-platform functionality. Moreover, it has a sleek interface, file system browser and marketplace for extensions. Atom also provides a framework for creating desktop applications. It also supports JavaScript, HTML and CSS.
Merits
The following are the merits of Atom:
- Auto-completion
- Generally supported for cross-platform development
- Speedy scripting
- Easy navigation
- Full support from GitHub
Demerits
Besides having many merits, Atom has some demerits also. Listed as under:
- Generally, it is for entry-level
- Slow loading
- Do not run on a native application
Therefore, above are the characteristics, merits and demerits of the Atom.
5. Jupyter
Characteristics
Jupyter is generally effective in data science learning among all the Python IDEs. It is a server-client structure-based IDE. Moreover, it is applied to write and edit Python codes.
Merits
The following are the merits of Jupyter:
- Useful in data science
- Supports machine learning visualisation
- Supports numerical simulation and statistical modelling
- Easy to use
- Generally useful as an Educational tool
- Free open source
- Multi-language support
- Server-client structure
Demerits
Besides having many merits, Jupyter has some demerits also. Listed as under:
- Low loading
Therefore, above are the characteristics, merits and demerits of Jupyter.
6. Spyder
Characteristics
Spyder is one of the best compilers among all the Python IDEs. Moreover, all platforms are compatible with it. Also, it is advantageous in the development of scientific programmes.
Merits
The following are the merits of Spyder
- Free
- Auto-completion
- Syntax highlighting
- Suitable for machine learning
- Finds and eliminates bottlenecks
- Generally a good performer in the multi-language editor
- Structured and active framework
- Great IDE for Windows
Demerits
Besides having many merits, Spyder has some demerits also. Listed as under:
- Too many plugins slow down the performance
- Not capable of configuring a specific warning
Therefore, above are the characteristics, merits and demerits of Spyder.
7. PyDev
Characteristics
An open-source IDE generally written with JAVA, is PyDev. Also, it is a powerful Python interpreter among all the Python IDEs.
Merits
The following are the merits of PyDev
- Free
- Auto-completion
- Debugging tool
- Syntax highlighting
- Platform independent
Demerits
Besides having many merits, PyDev has some demerits also. Listed as under:
- Poor user interface
Therefore, above are the characteristics, merits and demerits of PyDev.
8. Wing
Characteristics
The Wing is the most powerful IDE today among all the Python IDEs. Moreover, it assists in remote development. Also, it makes Python development fast and more accurate. Generally, a 30 days trial version is available for the developers. It also supports text-driven development with PyTest, unit tests and the Django test framework.
Merits
The following are the merits of Wing:
- Auto code completion
- In general immediate feedback on your Python code
- Assists in remote development
- Widely used open-source IDE commercially
- Quick Troubleshoot
- Powerful debugger and an accurate editor
- Good refactoring
Demerits
Besides having many merits, Wing has some demerits also. Listed as under:
- Expensive
Therefore, above are the characteristics, merits and demerits of Wing.
9. Vim
Characteristics
Vim is a stable open-source code editor. Also, it is compatible with platforms like Windows, LINUX, MAC OS, IOS, Android, UNIX, AmigaOS, MorphOS, etc. It has a modal mode of operation. Therefore, it differs from most other text editors. It has three modes. They are insert mode, normal mode and command line mode. It can also be customised by adding extensions and configurations. Therefore, it is easily adaptable for Python development.
Merits
The following are the merits of Vim:
- Free
- Easily accessible
- Multi-level undo
- conversion of file formats
- Powerful integration
- Search and replace functionality
- Good user interface
- Allows debugging and refactoring
- Generally, it provides normal and editing modes to work
Demerits
Besides having many merits, Vim has some demerits also. Listed as under:
- Generally, it is hard for entry-level programmers
- Generally used as a text editor only
Therefore, above are the characteristics, merits and demerits of Vim.
10. Visual Studio
Characteristics
Microsoft developed it. Free as well as paid versions are available. Operating systems, for instance, Windows and Mac only support it.
Merits
The following are the merits of Visual Studio:
- Open-source IDE
- Code is lightweight
- Git integration
- Easy installation
- Code debugging within the editor
Demerits
Besides having many merits, Visual Studio has some demerits also. Listed as under:
- Only supported on Windows and Mac OS
- Heavy files
Therefore, above are the characteristics, merits and demerits of Visual Studio.
11. Visual studio code
Characteristics
One of the Python IDEs developed by Microsoft is Visual Studio code. It is different from VS. It is compatible with platforms for instance Windows, Linux, and Mac OS. Moreover, VS Code includes Git’s support. Generally, push and commit operations can be performed from the editor. It contains accurate code completion with a function definition, imported modules and variable types. Also, it has syntax highlighting, a debugging console and proprietary IntelliSense code auto-completion.
Merits
The following are the merits of VS Code
- Free
- Open-source code editor
- Multi-language support
- Smart user interface
- Extensive libraries
- Small and lightweight
Demerits
Besides having many merits, Visual Studio Code has some demerits also. Listed as under:
- Slow search engine
- Higher launch time
Therefore, above are the characteristics, merits and demerits of Visual Studio Code.
12. Thonny
Characteristics
Thonny is generally ideal for teaching and learning Python programming. It is also best suited for beginners. Moreover, it supports function calls, auto code completion, highlighting errors and good indentation. In it, Python is pre-installed when downloaded.
Merits
The following are the merits of Thonny:
- Free
- Simple Graphic user interface
- Generally, it is compatible with almost all platforms
- Reply and resolve comments
- Simple debugger
- Function evaluation
- Automatic syntax error detection
- Users can change reference mode easily
Demerits
Besides having many merits, Thonny has some demerits also. Listed as under:
- Good for beginners only
Therefore, above are the characteristics, merits and demerits of Thonny.
13. Google Colaboratory
Characteristics
The most straightforward web IDE developed by Google is Google Colaboratory. It is generally applicable in programmes related to data science. Moreover, it has a cloud-based Jupyter Notebook environment that allows running Python code in a browser. One can directly shift the files from Colab to google drive instead of downloading. One can log in on a Google account and access Colab.
Merits
The following are the merits of Google Colaboratory:
- Easily available
- Free cloud service, GPUs and TPUs
- Import or publish directly from/to GitHub
- Highly user interactive
- Multi-language support
- Integrated libraries
- Runs on cloud
- Ideal for machine learning and deep learning development
Demerits
Besides having many merits, Google Colaboratory has some demerits also. Listed as under:
- Access is lost to unsaved files once the session is over
- Everything stored in google drive
- A Google account is a must
Therefore, above are the characteristics, merits and demerits of Google Colaboratory.
14. Dreamweaver
Characteristics
The Python IDE developed by Adobe Inc is Dreamweaver. It is compatible with many platforms, for instance, Windows and Mac OS. Moreover, it edits files locally. Then upload the edited files to the remote web server.
Merits
The following are the merits of Dreamweaver:
- Syntex highlighting
- Auto-completion
- Code Editor
Demerits
Besides having many merits, Dreamweaver has some demerits also. Listed as under:
- Generally a difficult interface
- Too many paragraphs in coding
Therefore, above are the characteristics, merits and demerits.
15. Rodeo
Characteristics
Rodeo is an open-sourced Python IDE. It is helpful in data science applications. Also, it is fast and flexible.
Merits
The following are the merits of Rodeo:
- Fast and flexible
- Open-sourced IDE
- Lightweight
- Auto-updated version
Demerits
Besides having many merits, Rodeo has some demerits also. Listed as under:
- Poor maintenance
- Poor support
Therefore, above are the characteristics, merits and demerits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Python has come out as one of the most popular programming languages worldwide. In this article, I tried to introduce you to the different Python IDEs. Some are suitable for entry-level developers because of their lightweight nature and simplicity. In contrast, experts require advanced features for building software.
Hence, the type of Python IDE depends upon the requirements of the developers. To start learning Python, visit Henry Harvin’s Python learning course.
Recommended Reads
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no one “best” Python IDE. The type of Python IDE depends upon the requirements of the developers.
A good Python IDE should have code completion, syntax highlighting, and code navigation features. It should also be easy to install and use.
IDEL.