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Main Area and Open Discussion => General Software Discussion => Topic started by: CWuestefeld on October 25, 2008, 05:25 PM

Title: Best Python IDE
Post by: CWuestefeld on October 25, 2008, 05:25 PM
As I've been learning the Python language I've been trying to find a comfortable IDE for my purposes. Naturally, the first one I encountered was the "built-in" IDLE, but this quickly proved to be too bare-bones. There are a number of more advanced ones that support code completion, automatic documentation and program structure diagramming, and refactoring.

I've been using SPE (Stani's Python Editor, http://pythonide.stani.be/ ) as it was the first "advanced" one I found, but I've run into roadblocks with it and it's got me frustrated. The last version with an installer had a broken winpdb (the debugger), and while there are newer releases, it seems like they quit building installers some time ago. In fact, it's difficult to find any prebuilt distribution for those of us without svn.

I've come across some others that seem more promising. Notably, pydev (http://pydev.sourceforge.net/index.html) and Eric (http://www.die-offenbachs.de/eric/index.html) both boast of refactoring, which could be a boon.

Would anyone care to throw in two cents about the features, quality, and support of these tools (or any others)?
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: housetier on October 25, 2008, 06:22 PM
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ] (http://pida.co.uk/) [ You are not allowed to view attachments ] (http://www.vim.org/)

I like PIDA (http://pida.co.uk/) best when it comes to python programming, because I can use my favorite text editor (http://www.vim.org/).
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: hwtan on October 25, 2008, 08:52 PM
I use WingWare IDE for python. What I liked, which might be available these day in other IDEs, was the the auto-complete even in the Python Shell. Good for trying out short snippets before integrating them into the main code.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: Shades on October 25, 2008, 09:35 PM
Although I don't have any experience with the solution I offer: PyDev (http://www.eclipseplugincentral.com/Web_Links-index-req-viewlink-cid-235.html)
my friend who is a very adept C/C++/Java programmer (with 20 years of programming experience under his belt) who swears by the Eclipse (http://www.eclipse.org) IDE. The original intent or this IDE is JAVA related programming, but there are a boatload of plug-ins of other programming languages available for it.

With that in mind and after taking a quick look, there was also a plug-in for Python. Price-wise it couldn't be better (free EPL license). The comments that you can see when you visit the link are very positive, which should make up for my lack of experience ;-).
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: 40hz on October 26, 2008, 12:42 PM
FWIW: When I was first starting to learn Python, it was suggested to me by a guy I know who breathes code, that I avoid IDEs and just use a really good editor such as Notepad++. His feeling was that if you go the IDE route initially, you will need to learn two things at the same time - Python - and your IDE.

I took that advice and I'm glad I did. It allowed me to just focus on learning the language without getting too bogged down in all the "productivity and convenience" things that would really be more applicable to somebody who already knew how to program in Python.

If you're learning something, about the only thing you really want is syntax highlighting. Go beyond that and you run the risk of "throwing out the baby with the bathwater." Sometimes it's good to have to fully type out full lines of code and make mistakes. Repetition and really looking at lines of code can go a long way to reinforcing your learning experience and helping you memorize things that need to be available for instant recall. It's sort of like cooking - try learning how to do something from scratch first before you start looking for ways to do it quicker or more easily. You'll always learn a lot more doing it "the hard way" first..

Once I got more comfortable using Python, the value of using an IDE became much more apparent. Because before I knew something about Python, I couldn't really use most of what the IDE could provide.

Just my own tuppence. :)

Oh yeah, almost forgot...I like PyDev best. :Thmbsup:
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: tinjaw on October 26, 2008, 02:15 PM
It depends on how much coding experience you have. If you have already worked with IDEs and/or know another object oriented language already, then you can already appreciate the advantages of using an IDE to do things like take advantage of class outlines and templates. However, if you are new to both, then I suggest following 40hz's advice and just worry about learning the language using something like notepad++. In the case of python, you are also lucky to have something inbetween, IPython (http://ipython.scipy.org/moin/). For learning about IPython, I can't stress enough that you should watch the videos on ShowMeDo (http://showmedo.com/videos/series?name=PythonIPythonSeries) before you even install it.

I have been coding Python for a couple of years now and I use a IPython and Pydev Extensions at the same time. They work very well together.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: f0dder on October 26, 2008, 05:02 PM
I agree with tinjaw. If you already have some IDE experience, you'll definitely want to find an IDE for your new language... integreted help / API reference and visual debugging makes dealing with a new language a lot easier.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: CWuestefeld on October 27, 2008, 05:28 AM
A couple of you noted pydev, so I looked a little deeper there. It bothered me a little that it's an extension to Eclipse. That makes it kinda heavy-weight, and it seems to be a second-class citizen there; the environment certainly isn't designed for the peculiarities of python.

On the other hand, I tried to download Eric, and it turns out that (as far as I can tell) you just can't get it for Windows without building parts of it yourself. It needs Qt (which is pretty darned big), but more significantly, it also needs QScintilla2. I was completely unable to find a Windows-built download of this.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: Edvard on October 27, 2008, 11:01 AM
SciTe.
http://www.scintilla.org/SciTE.html
Works very well for the small amount of Python I do. Code highlighting, error indicators, code completion hints, call tips, etc.

If you want to get into GUI stuff with python, I recommend BoaConstructor.
http://boa-constructor.sourceforge.net/
Uses WxWidgets for building GUI's and a casual trip through the help file 'Getting Started' section will get you on your way.
It's a bit of a task to get it installed on Windows, but it does work.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: tinjaw on October 27, 2008, 12:44 PM
A couple of you noted pydev, so I looked a little deeper there. It bothered me a little that it's an extension to Eclipse. That makes it kinda heavy-weight, and it seems to be a second-class citizen there; the environment certainly isn't designed for the peculiarities of python.
-CWuestefeld (October 27, 2008, 05:28 AM)

Although pydev is a plugin to Eclipse, it does work very well. BTW, if you didn't realize, there are two parts to pydev - the opensource basics and the commercial extensions. I am on my second year of subscription to the commercial extensions and a happy camper.

Yes, it is a bit heavy-weight, but that is because Eclipse is meant as a general purpose tool out-of-the-box. You could limit what is loads to thin things down. I, however, use it because I use Ecplise as my main development tool for other stuff as well. So I get the added benefit of it being the same tool for my Java developments as well as other things.

Pydev is also under active development, as has been since day one. It was also recently brought under a corporate umbrella which will directly fund its further development under the same developer, Fabio.

There still isn't *any* good tools for GUI development under Python. I beg my contacts at Borland come CodeGear come Embarcardero for Delphi for Python. With it I couLD RULE THE WORLD!!!  >:D
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: tranglos on October 27, 2008, 03:54 PM
If you're learning something, about the only thing you really want is syntax highlighting. Go beyond that and you run the risk of "throwing out the baby with the bathwater."
-40hz (October 26, 2008, 12:42 PM)

That would be more like throwing into the tub: the baby, the bathwater, some soap, some rubber duckies, a teddy bear and a LEGO set :)

That said, I disagree - just a little. Syntax highlighting is very helpful for spotting syntax errors, which abound when you begin learning a language. But for me, the lack of IDE (or using a weak IDE) becomes a showstopper for another reason: no code insight. For me, the hardest thing is figuring out what I can do with the language, i.e. the capabilities of the library.

A few times I've tried learning Python by attempting to write what should normally be much simpler/faster to do in Python than in Delphi. Of course, while I knew exactly how to do it in Delphi, but in Pyton I had no idea where to begin. Every time, with only one exception, I went back to Delphi, having to write more glue code and create throw-away classes, but I worked fast because I already knew how to do it. In Python, without an IDE capable of code insight, searching in the documentation ended up taking enough time to become a tedium.

If I can type objectinstance - dot - Ctrl+Space and have a list of methods and their signatures, I'm happy, and I can try things out in no time and actually get results. Without it, a new language appears impenetrable.

That, and I don't think I'd ever attempt to create a GUI in a scripting language by typing... control such-and-such, top=10, left=5, width=100, etc, for dozens and dozens of controls. It just doesn't seem to make sense, as long as you have an option of using a visual designer.

Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: Edvard on October 27, 2008, 05:05 PM
Anybody tried ActiveState's Python IDE?
http://www.activestate.com/Products/activepython/index.mhtml
Haven't heard much about it, but the self-promotion is wicked.
Also, look here:
http://wiki.python.org/moin/PythonEditors
And here:
http://wiki.python.org/moin/IntegratedDevelopmentEnvironments
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: tinjaw on October 27, 2008, 06:50 PM
That would be more like throwing into the tub: the baby, the bathwater, some soap, some rubber duckies, a teddy bear and a LEGO set :)
-tranglos (October 27, 2008, 03:54 PM)
ROTFLOL @ that one.

I went back to Delphi
-tranglos (October 27, 2008, 03:54 PM)

I'll forgive you, but only because it was Delphi.  ;)

If I can type objectinstance - dot - Ctrl+Space and have a list of methods and their signatures, I'm happy, and I can try things out in no time and actually get results.
-tranglos (October 27, 2008, 03:54 PM)

That is why IPython is a good "middle ground".
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: tinjaw on October 27, 2008, 06:52 PM
Anybody tried ActiveState's Python IDE?
http://www.activestate.com/Products/activepython/index.mhtml
-Edvard (October 27, 2008, 05:05 PM)

The IDE is actually Komodo (http://www.activestate.com/Products/komodo_ide/index.mhtml) and is usable with many dynamic languages. I haven't used it myself. There is a free version and a pay version of Komodo.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: dnm on November 04, 2008, 11:55 PM
I use Wingware's Wing IDE myself, and highly recommend it. I also wanted to second 40hz's recommendation of learning the language first, then learning the IDE. But, having said that, if you know Python well, I find Wing IDE a huge boon, especially for larger projects.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: ajp on November 05, 2008, 12:09 PM
I was an SPE enthusiast for some time. Having a real debugger becomes a must for certain projects. But now that I've done more Zope/Plone development, I find myself resorting to my favourite programming editor: PSPad (http://www.pspad.com). It's free (as in beer), it has an advanced templating system (they call it "clips"), it's faster/lighter than Eclipse and does a great job for most text-editing tasks.

No debugger or instrospection, but I like it a lot.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: jdmarch on November 05, 2008, 06:58 PM
I tried Komodo/ActiveState for a bit, but have tentatively settled on Wing IDE.  I like its convenient integration of interpreter, editor with smart symbol lookup, and interactive debugger, but I do still keep my old familiar editor open in parallel, when I want to do significant refactoring. For now I'm using the $35 personal version of Wing IDE, but expect to eventually consider the $180 Pro version for its greater code browsing abilities.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: simakuutio on November 06, 2008, 05:18 AM
I use Wingware's Wing IDE myself, and highly recommend it. I also wanted to second 40hz's recommendation of learning the language first, then learning the IDE. But, having said that, if you know Python well, I find Wing IDE a huge boon, especially for larger projects.
-dnm (November 04, 2008, 11:55 PM)

I'll agree 100%. WingIDE is so far best IDE for Python developers I have been testing/using. Absolutely worth of every cent (and it's not even expensive!!).

Give it a test drive and see how it fits!
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: CWuestefeld on November 06, 2008, 08:11 AM
WingIDE is so far best IDE for Python developers I have been testing/using. Absolutely worth of every cent (and it's not even expensive!!).
-simakuutio (November 06, 2008, 05:18 AM)
According to their feature matrix, the Personal edition doesn't include such features as "Class browser" and "Code folding", which from my investigations appears to be a baseline feature of any Python IDE. Based on this, I get the impression that it's a toy until you get to the Professional edition, which at $179 isn't cheap.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: fractophil on November 07, 2008, 03:47 PM
Eric is a very good IDE with many features and can be installed on Windows easily, although there are not many instructions on how to do so.

To install it on an Windows, download and run the Windows installer for PyQt from http://www.riverbankcomputing.co.uk/software/pyqt/download that matches your Python installation.

Leave all options checked when installing.  This will install Qt, QScintilla, and everything else needed to run Eric.

Then, download Eric, unpack it to where you want, and run install.py.  This will install Eric.

To run Eric, simply run eric4.bat
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: urlwolf on November 07, 2008, 06:09 PM
Do you know of any IDE that supports mercurial?
Thanks
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: iphigenie on November 07, 2008, 06:21 PM
I have heard from the netbeans team (in reply to a comment by me on twitter) that they are adding python next, and that it will be available (beta) in November after they release 2.5
They usually work hard to integrate debugging, language documentation, common frameworks, instructions to add more frameworks etc. so it might well be a very strong contender for Python IDE by December.

link: http://twitter.com/netbeans/status/993313225


Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: urlwolf on November 07, 2008, 06:57 PM

Yep, I use netbeans, and love it. Will use it for python when it comes out. And that has mercurial support.

But in the meantime: Wow, eric rocks!
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: housetier on November 08, 2008, 03:55 AM
PIDA claims to support any versioning system.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: urlwolf on November 21, 2008, 12:33 PM
well, netbeans 6.5 was released and there's no support for python.
I've been playing with ERIC and I like it.
But is there anything that supports django too?
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: urlwolf on November 21, 2008, 02:22 PM
Before anyone beats me to it: if you are on windows try pyScripter:
http://pyscripter.googlepages.com/

By far the best I have tried:
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: tinjaw on November 21, 2008, 03:13 PM
well, netbeans 6.5 was released and there's no support for python.
-urlwolf (November 21, 2008, 12:33 PM)

Wait! I read something different today. Stand by....

[update]

Here you go...

Pyton In NetBeans
http://www.sauria.com/blog/2008/11/19/python-in-netbeans/
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: kartal on November 21, 2008, 06:33 PM
it is asking for python 2.3 dll? whatt?



Before anyone beats me to it: if you are on windows try pyScripter:
http://pyscripter.googlepages.com/

By far the best I have tried:
  •       free
  •       Portable
  •       Ctrl+scroll moves fast around code!
  •       Has execute selection
  •       Tells you the variable type with a pop up, where is defined, whether it's global, etc!
  •       Fast (not interpreted, delphi)
  •       Find function, find definition  works
  •       Has unitTest integration
-urlwolf (November 21, 2008, 02:22 PM)
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: urlwolf on November 22, 2008, 07:11 AM
@kartal
You get a popup with an error about a dll?
I do now too. (mine is about python25, you may have an older version)
I think it could be related to an incompatibility with tortoise. I reinstalled tortoise HG and started getting this error too.

I found the solution here:
http://code.google.com/p/pyscripter/issues/detail?id=189

For "all user" installations, PyScripter just tries to load the Pythonxx.dll from the
python path. Mercurail contains a python dll and is on the path. So I can see three
solutions.


a)  Make sure that %windows%\system32 is higher int the path than TortoiseHg(Mercurial)
b)  Install Python25 as a single user installation.  In that case PyScripter will
pick the python25.dll from the installation path.
c) Use the PYTHONDLLPATH flag as you did


Still, I'm going to test netbeans now because I love it.
by the way pyscripter is great to explore someone else's code thanks to the variable description popups!
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: iphigenie on November 22, 2008, 10:51 AM
The netbeans Python early access is now available - they appreciate feedback too  :Thmbsup:

http://www.netbeans.org/features/python/index.html
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: kartal on November 22, 2008, 01:31 PM
Yeah even command line does nto work for me. I have never had issues with any pythong program except this one that claims to be a python editor.

Ohh another one that has issues is active state komodo edit. It cannot find it is own template files for some reason and fails to open a new document.

I am under 64bit xp and using 64bit version of python





@kartal
You get a popup with an error about a dll?
I do now too. (mine is about python25, you may have an older version)
I think it could be related to an incompatibility with tortoise. I reinstalled tortoise HG and started getting this error too.

I found the solution here:
http://code.google.com/p/pyscripter/issues/detail?id=189

For "all user" installations, PyScripter just tries to load the Pythonxx.dll from the
python path. Mercurail contains a python dll and is on the path. So I can see three
solutions.


a)  Make sure that %windows%\system32 is higher int the path than TortoiseHg(Mercurial)
b)  Install Python25 as a single user installation.  In that case PyScripter will
pick the python25.dll from the installation path.
c) Use the PYTHONDLLPATH flag as you did


Still, I'm going to test netbeans now because I love it.
by the way pyscripter is great to explore someone else's code thanks to the variable description popups!
-urlwolf (November 22, 2008, 07:11 AM)
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: f0dder on November 22, 2008, 01:38 PM
Kartal: do yourself a favor and install 32bit python. You don't get much advantage from using 64bit python unless you have very specific needs, and you get in trouble with anything that uses native code bindings.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: kartal on November 23, 2008, 01:21 AM
Fodder thanks for the tip. The 32bit version resolved Pyscripter problem
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: Armando on November 26, 2008, 01:08 PM
For what it's worth, a review of the Komodo IDE :
http://reddevnews.com/news/print.aspx?editorialsid=10416
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: urlwolf on November 27, 2008, 04:53 AM
http://meandubuntu.wordpress.com/2008/11/14/in-search-of-a-python-ide/
This is the most exhaustive review to date.
Note that he hates Eclipse + pydev with passion (contrasting with Tinjaw and 40Hz's views here!). Hilarious:

"using the IDE is at least twice as complicated as the program you are trying to write."

He seems to like Komodo edit.

Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: urlwolf on November 29, 2008, 05:40 AM
Just for completeness:

boa-constructor.sourceforge.net
Good for doing GUIs. Has anyone tried this? Could be good for NANY2009.

IntelliJ idea do have a plugin for Python:
http://plugins.intellij.net/plugin/?id=631

This could be promising as many people swear by IDEA.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: iphigenie on November 30, 2008, 09:15 AM
I must say I like netbeans as an IDE. It also does java, ruby, php, javascript, c - if it did perl I'd be thrilled
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: urlwolf on November 30, 2008, 11:51 AM
There's no perl IDE that I know of that is worth anything.

IntelliJ looks fantastic to understand large codebases. Its dependency feature offers a tree of where a function is called, and a small code preview next to it (nifty!).

It doesn't compare to say pydev because they don't even have a debugger, but I don't discard buying IDEA if they keep pushing the python plugin.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: urlwolf on November 30, 2008, 11:53 AM
The thing with netbeans (and IDEA) is that I never managed to get a decent console working on it. The default one doesn't even have history. That's pretty deal-breaker. But I've seen videos of netbeans with a decent console. I just don't know how to get it to work (in Ruby or Python). If anyone finds out, please post.

There's also a nice stand-alone python debugger here:
http://winpdb.org/download/
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: urlwolf on November 30, 2008, 05:12 PM
More on the IDE battle:
http://praisecurseandrecurse.blogspot.com/2008/04/abysmal-state-of-python-ides.html

I'm finding IDEA really great. Their diff is second to none; it makes beyond compare look like a toy. Worth the price of admission just because of that!
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: tinjaw on December 01, 2008, 12:56 PM
I haven't read it myself, but there is a tutorial (http://wiki.netbeans.org/NetBeansPythonTutorial) on the NetBeans Wiki on using NetBeans with Python.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: kartal on April 14, 2009, 10:36 AM
After trying many different Ides , I ended up liking Pyscripter and Komodo edit. I actually would like to give up Komodo edit and just use Pyscripter but the problem is that Pyscripter seems to have issues with importing modules. Once in a while a code that works on another would not work in Pyscripter or it would frequently crash. Does anyone else have these kinds of issues with Pyscripter?


Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: Jussi Jumppanen on April 14, 2009, 07:18 PM
The Zeus for Windows IDE is Python aware: http://www.zeusedit.com/python.html

It does syntax highlighting, smart indenting, code folding etc. etc. You can even write Zeus scripts in Python.

It is also possible to hook in the Python documentation so you can search and access the help from within the editor:

    http://www.zeusedit.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8

Jussi Jumppanen
Author: Zeus for Windows IDE
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: vixay on December 07, 2009, 02:22 AM
How do i configure pyscripter to use Instant Django?
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: housetier on December 07, 2009, 03:06 AM
If people don't need a "big IDE", but want something to help them code in python, there is bpython (http://www.bpython-interpreter.org/). It features a completion system similar to IntelliSense, which is quite neat. However, I haven't used bpython much myself, so I can't say how stable it is, or if there are annoyances.

I haven't used PIDA (http://pida.co.uk/) lately, because I couldn't get it to start. So for me it's back to vim and its sessions feature, which is all I need for now. I don't do much refactoring or gui stuff (yet)...
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: Tuxman on December 08, 2009, 01:02 PM
So for me it's back to vim and its sessions feature, which is all I need for now.
-housetier (December 07, 2009, 03:06 AM)
Vim is all a coder needs.  :Thmbsup:
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: kakarukeys on December 09, 2009, 09:43 AM
has anyone used Wingware Python IDE (commercial)? Looks good from the company's own description, but I haven't read any 3rd party review about it.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: housetier on December 09, 2009, 10:26 AM
The only commercial IDE that ever really delivered was Together from TogetherSoft. After they were bought by the JBuilder producers (forgot which name they had back then; it was changing frequently), it disappeared from my radar and hasn't popped up anywhere ever since.

I have had to work with JBuilder, VisualStudio and find them "too much": there is too much visual noise around my code to concentrate well. That soured my experience with commercial IDEs somewhat. However the problem also applies to free IDEs such as Netbeans or Eclipse.

Some of these are really great for refactoring though.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: urlwolf on December 10, 2009, 02:38 AM
IntelliJ IDEA is a fantastic commercial editor, and now they are releasing it open-source (with the paid version having features I don't need). Great news.

Good python support, no debugger but it has very good test integration, and the navigation in general is outstanding.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: kartal on January 18, 2010, 04:50 PM
If people don't need a "big IDE", but want something to help them code in python, there is bpython (http://www.bpython-interpreter.org/). It features a completion system similar to IntelliSense, which is quite neat. However, I haven't used bpython much myself, so I can't say how stable it is, or if there are annoyances.

I haven't used PIDA (http://pida.co.uk/) lately, because I couldn't get it to start. So for me it's back to vim and its sessions feature, which is all I need for now. I don't do much refactoring or gui stuff (yet)...

-housetier (December 07, 2009, 03:06 AM)

Bpython looks good, at the moment I am under windows but will try it under my Ubuntu box.

On the otherhand there is Ipython which is great and wors in all platforms, I believe it is similar to Bpython
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: kartal on January 19, 2010, 02:13 PM
Here is my current conclusion

I think that the best Python editor is
Vim(gvim) + Ipython(when possible)
There are some scripts for Vim under Linux that makes Ipython embedding possible inside Vim. But on Windows I could not find any viable option to have a sensible Python shell inside Vim



the best Python IDE is
Eclipse+Pydev+Vim(via Eclim)+Vrapper(Vim commands inside Eclipse)


I know that WingsIde and Komodo Ides are pretty neat too, but they are way out of my budget. To me writing Python code is more about having some fun and learning so my needs are mainly about editing speed, searching etc. I do not have needs like Team environment and serious source code versioning.


Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: mouser on January 22, 2010, 03:05 PM
i'm trying pyscripter for really bare bones editing and running small scripts and am happy with its interface; the others just seemed to heavy for my primitive needs to tinker.

ps. i know this won't win me any fans but python syntax, especially object oriented stuff, is much, much worse than i remembered since the last time i did real python coding a couple years ago.  coming from a c++ background, it's pretty close to unbearable.
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: kartal on January 22, 2010, 04:33 PM
What I like about Pyscripter is that you do not need to save a script to run the script. So I use it as scratch pad frequently although it offers very sophisticated tools.  I am addicted to Vim and MicroEmacs, so for me using any other editor to write scripts is not that much fun. On the  other hand if you are starting Python I think that Pyscripter is very well defined tool and it helps alot along the  way. One other nice thing with Pyscripter is that it has inline Python shell and it is very light weight compared to Eclipse or Netbeans.

mouser, would  you mind explaining basic differences between C++ and Python oop stuff? I just have very small understanding of C++. The main programming languages I have ever used are Tubo Pascal 5 :) and Python

Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: mouser on January 22, 2010, 05:34 PM
by the way, i have to withdraw my recommendation of pyscripter because of a rather glaring and serious bug where it insists on running older versions of files:
http://code.google.com/p/pyscripter/issues/detail?id=256
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: reckoner on January 22, 2010, 06:08 PM
Wing is the best for the simple reason that it is one of the few that allows completion while in debug mode.

it's not cheap, though. On the other hand, it has saved me on more than one occasion when no other combination of tools would work (i.e. catching intermediate Python processes fired by other processes).
Title: Re: Best Python IDE
Post by: mouser on January 24, 2010, 07:53 PM
The debate about annoyances with Python was not appropriate for this thread, and so has been moved here: https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=21479.0