Mayank Patel
Jun 25, 2024
5 min read
Last updated Jun 25, 2024
Python is a leading open-source, general-purpose, and high-level programming language. It is popular all over the world due to its versatility and ease of use.
Python is widely used today for developing websites, software, automating tasks, data visualization, data analysis, and more. Its ease of learning has also attracted many non-programmers to start learning it.
Whether you're an experienced developer or a beginner, it doesn't matter; you can utilize various text editors for coding in Python. Many text editors offer additional tools for code generation, and some Python-specific editors are effective.
Programmers can use Python code editors and integrated development environments (IDEs), or Python IDEs. You can use different types of tools to improve your productivity and efficiency while working with Python programming language.
A software application that provides different types of all-inclusive facilities to developers for software development is known as Integrated Development Environment (IDE). It includes a code editor, debugger, and various build automation tools.
The developers prefer to use Python IDEs because they improve productivity by providing features like intelligent code completion, syntax highlighting, version control integration, testing, and easy debugging processes.
A code editor is also known as a lightweight tool that developers use to edit and write fresh code. It provides some of the basic features like syntax highlighting, code formatting, and simple debugging capabilities.
Unlike Python IDEs, code editors concentrate solely on editing and managing code, thereby enhancing speed and efficiency for agile coding and lightweight projects.
Explore the list of best code editors for Python:
1. Visual Studio Code: Visual Studio Code is also known as VS code and it is a free, open-source code editor developed by Microsoft. This editor is written in an electronic language and it works smoothly on operating systems (OS) like Windows, macOS, Linux, and many more. It is popular among developers due to its versatility and extensive range of features.
a) Extensibility: It offers thousands of extensions that can be used to add various functionalities.
b) IntelliSense: This feature helps to do smart code completions, syntax highlighting, and error detection.
c) Built-In Git Integration: It allows you smooth version control with Git and GitHub.
d) Integrated Terminal: It is one of the main features of VS code as you can run terminal commands directly within the editor.
e) Debugging: Use the most powerful debugging tools with breakpoints, call stacks, and an interactive console.
2. Sublime Text: Sublime Text is a widely used text editor that is known for its speed, reliability, and rich set of features. It provides support for different types of programming languages including Python. Sublime Text is a perfect choice for you because it comes with powerful interfaces and text editing features.
a) Goto Anything: With this functionality, you can quickly navigate to files, symbols, and lines.
b) Command Palette: Easily access different types of commands and features using a simple keyboard shortcut.
c) Multiple Selections: You can make multiple changes simultaneously.
d) Split Editing: Get the option to view and edit multiple files side by side.
e) Package Control: Instantly install and manage different types of packages & extensions.
3. Vim: Vim is an open-source and free terminal-based code editor that can be used on operating systems (OS) like macOS, UNIX, and Windows. It is a lightweight code editor that can be customized through different types of plugins and extensions. Vim includes some of the advanced features and commands that can help to easily navigate and edit the text.
a) Extensive Plugin System: Different types of plugins are available on platforms like Vim-Plug, Pathogen, and Vundle to extend Vim's functionality.
b) Syntax Highlighting: It provides support for syntax highlighting for many programming languages to improve code readability and reduce errors.
c) Modal Editing: It uses different modes like insert, normal, visual, and command to separate editing tasks and improve productivity.
4. Atom: Atom is a well-known open-source and free code editor that is being developed by GitHub. Atom code editor is a preferred choice among developers who want to use a tool that can be customized according to their requirements.
a) Package Manager: With the help of this package manager, you can easily browse and install new packages in the Atom code editor.
b) Themes: Customize the look and feel as it comes with various options of themes.
c) Teletype: The developers can easily collaborate in real-time.
d) Smart Autocomplete: It provides relevant suggestions while you are writing the code.
Read More: What should you look for before hiring Python developers?
Explore the list of top Python IDE tools that you can learn more about:
1. PyCharm: PyCharm is a robust and fully-featured IDE that is developed by JetBrains and is specifically designed for Python development. There are two versions of PyCharm available. One is the free community edition and the other one is the fully-featured professional edition that is paid. It is an IDE that can be used on operating systems (OS) like Linux, macOS, and Windows.
a) Intelligent Code Assistance: It offers some of the most advanced code completion, real-time error checking, and powerful refactoring tools.
b) Integrated Tools: PyCharm provides support for web development frameworks like Django, Flask, and database management.
c) Debugger and Test Runner: This IDE includes a graphical debugger and an integrated test runner to easily handle the code.
d) Version Control Integration: You can smoothly integrate PyCharm with Git, SVN, Mercurial, and other version control systems.
2. Spyder: Spyder is an open-source and free IDE that is designed to handle scientific computing and data analysis. It is also one of the most lightweight IDEs for Python development and it is also known as Scientific Python Development IDE. Spyder works smoothly with popular Python packages like NumPy, SciPy, and Matplotlib.
a) Variable Explorer: You can easily inspect different types of variables and data frames with user-friendly interfaces.
b) Integrated IPython Console: Use this functionality to execute the code more interactively and visualize final results.
c) Editor with Syntax Highlighting: You can enjoy its code completion and real-time analysis functionalities.
d) Plotting Support: It provides an inline plotting facility so that you can enjoy immediate data visualization of the code that you wrote.
3. Thonny: Thonny is an open-source, free, lightweight, and simple IDE that is specifically designed for developers who are learning Python. It also helps the developers to get insights into basic Python operations. Thonny is also known for providing a clean and straightforward interface with plenty of features to offer an easy learning curve.
a) Simple Interface: This IDE’s minimalist design ensures that it will reduce distractions while writing Python code.
b) Step-through Debugger: This functionality helps beginners to understand how code executes.
c) Variable Explorer: You can inspect different types of variables and their values during the execution of the code.
d) Syntax Highlighting: It provides basic syntax highlighting which helps to improve the readability of the code.
e) Built-In Python Shell: This IDE allows you to execute Python commands interactively.
4. Jupyter Notebook: Jupyter Notebook is an open-source web application that is mainly used for machine learning and data science. The developers prefer to use this IDE because it allows you to create and share documents containing live code, equations, visualizations, and narrative text.
a) Interactive Computing: You can execute the code in real time and see results instantly while using Jupyter Notebook IDE.
b) Rich Media: It provides support for embedding visualizations, equations, and other rich media.
c) Notebook Sharing: Now you can easily share notebooks via GitHub or any other platform.
d) Kernel Support: One of the main functionalities of this IDE is that it provides support for multiple programming languages through various kernels.
Choosing between a code editor and an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) can be tough but it depends on your development requirements and preferences. Python code editors like Visual Studio Code (VS) and Sublime Text are fast and lightweight and offer some of the necessary features like syntax highlighting, code completion, basic debugging, etc. They are highly customizable and preferred choice for quick tasks, scripting, and smaller projects.
While Python IDEs like PyCharm and Spyder provide an all-inclusive set of tools like advanced debugging, integrated version control, project management features, and many more. They are the best choice to handle large and complex projects that can improve productivity by providing a flawless development environment.
The choice depends upon the complexity of your project and specific workflows but if you want a clean and fast tool for coding then Python code editors are perfect for you. However, if you want a robust environment with extensive features for large-scale development then Python IDE tools are an ideal option for you.