Best Python IDEs and Code Editors in 2020 (Part 2)

As we have seen in Part one of this article, Python is a great first programming language to learn that works on multiple platforms like Mac, Windows, Linux and Raspberry. It has simple and easy to understand steps, while allowing you to create exciting and fun programs. Python is mainly used for software development, server-side web development, scripting, artificial intelligence and mathematics.

Despite the fact that both IDE and Text Editor can be used in the place of each other when developing a software, they still pose some differences. For instance, the Text editor helps the programmer to write scripts and modify codes or texts while IDE is considered as a development environment where a programmer can write the script, compile and debug the completing process .To get to learn this practical differences, watch our orientation class for a recent cohort at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BpSaM_ZC0w&list=PLSUKwYoSyuUmdNSh8W_9ykLnGADI3odWE

Evaluation of different Python IDEs

Before settling on any IDE or Text editor, you should ask yourself questions like: Do I want to code in multiple languages; Do I require any product compilation; Is the integrated debugger required? Just to mention but a few. This article is a continuation of the Top IDEs that we had evaluated in part 1 of the article.

5. Wing

It is a powerful commercial IDE supported by WINDOWS, LINUX and MAC OS platforms, with a 30-day trial period. Wing comes with a strong debugger and smart editor that makes the interactive Python development speed accurate and fun to perform.

What stands out in wings

It helps in moving around the code with features like, go-to-definition, edit symbol index, source browser, find the uses and symbol’s in the application  and effective multiple-file search. Wings also supports the test-driven development with pytest, unit test and Django testing framework. It has an auto code completion, the error is displayed in a feasible manner and line editing .To add on that, Wings supports remote development , is customizable and extensible. Visit http://lab.predictiveanalytics.co.ke/ . for more details on how wings functions.

Advantages  and disadvantages of wings

After the  trial version has expired, Wing provides around 10 minutes to the developers to migrate their application.It has a source browser which helps to show all the variables which are used in the script and  provides an additional exception handling tab which helps in debuging. It also  provides an extract function  under the refactor panel .

The disadvantage of wings is that its  commercial version is too expensive, It does not support  dark themes  and its interface can be intimidating when one has just started using it.

6. Rodeo

It is an open source IDE, supported by WINDOWS, LINUX, and Mac OS platforms. Rodeo was developed for data science-related tasks and supports cross-platform functionality.

Features that stand out in Rodeo

The most amazing feature of Rodeo, is the fact that it supports all the functions required for data science or machine learning tasks such as loading data and experimenting. It also allows the developers to interact, compare data, inspect and plot. Rodeo offers a clean code, auto-completion of code, syntax high lighting, and IPython support which allows one to write the code faster. This IDE has a visual file navigator and clicks which makes it easier for one to get what they want.

Pros and cons of Rodeo

It is a lightweight, highly customizable and intuitive developed with both a text editor and me Python console. Rodeo has Vim, Emacs mode and allows single or block execution of code. It can also auto-update its latest version and has all the supporting documentation at the last tab for better understanding.

However, Rodeo has its disadvantages like lacking proper maintenance and incase one has challenges, there is lack of support from the company staff. Watch a previous class on model deployment here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPius2th9Q4&list=PLSUKwYoSyuUlFGNATNt5JRWpDRwJf22I7&index=3

7.Erick Python

It is a powerful ,rich in feature open source Python IDE and editor, developed in Python itself. Erick is developed on cross-platform QT toolkit which is integrated with flexible Scintilla editor. It also has an integrated plugin system which provides a simple extension to the IDE functions.

Features that stand out in Erick.

It has many editors, configurable window layout, source code folding and call tips, error high lighting, and advanced search functions. Additionally, Erick has an advanced project management facility, integrated class browser, version control, cooperation functions, and source code. It offers cooperation’s functions, inbuilt debugger, inbuilt task management, profiling and code coverage support. Lastly it supports application diagram’s, syntax highlighting and auto code completion feature

Pros and cons of Erick

ERIC is the best IDE and code editor to use as it allows integrated support for unittest, CORBA and google protobuf. It has a lot of wizards for regex, QT dialogs, and tools for previewing QT forms and translations by making the developer’s task easier. It also supports web browsers and has a spell check library which avoids errors. Erick supports localization and has a rope refactoring tool for development.

However, the installation of ERIC becomes clumsy sometimes and it does not have a simple and easy GUI. Again, its performance decreases any time the developers tries to integrate too many plugins  http://app.predictiveanalytics.co.ke/ offers you a chance to learn more about Erick.

8. Thorny

It is an open source IDE best for the beginners with no prior Python experience due to its basic and simple features. It’s also very helpful for the users who use the virtual environment.

Best Features of Thorny:

It provides the ability to the users to check how the programs and shell commands affect the python variables. Thorny also offers a simple debugger with F5, F6 and F7 function keys for debugging. It provides the ability for a user to see how python internally evaluates the written expression. Furthermore, Thorny supports the good representation of function calls, highlighting errors and auto code completion feature.

Advantages and disadvantages of Thorny

It is user friendly for the beginners and takes care of PATH and issues with other python interpreters. It has a very simple Graphical user interface and the user has the ability to change the mode for explaining the reference. Thorny also helps in explaining the scopes by highlighting the spots.

However, Thorny has some disadvantages like the interface design not being all good and is limited to text editing and lacks templates support. The creation of plugin is really slow and it also lacks a lot of features.

Conclusion

Whichever Python IDE you choose to run with, at a minimum you will need an application that: does syntax highlighting, code-folding and bracket-matching, has some awareness of the constituent source files of a project, and facilitates running the code. More advanced features might include code suggestions, a debugger, and integration with online repositories. However, it’s very crucial for a developer to consider his needs and requirements before settling on an IDEs. Visit   http://www.predictiveanalytics.co.ke/ for more one on one sessions on Python Programming.

Click Here for Part 3 
https://www.predictiveanalytics.co.ke/blog/big-data/best-python-ides-and-code-editors-in-2020-part-3/