We have seen how to run Python command prompt but it is a bad choice because it does not do syntax highlighting or support indentation of the text which is very important in Python programming case as we will see later. Good editors will automatically do this for us. Writing Python using IDLE or the Python Shell is great for simple things, but those tools quickly turn larger programming projects into frustrating pits of despair. Using an IDE, or even just a good dedicated code editor, makes coding fun.
An IDE (or Integrated Development Environment) is a program dedicated to software development. As the name implies, IDEs integrate several tools specifically designed for software development. These tools usually include an editor tailored to handling code (for example, syntax highlighting and auto-completion); build, execution, and debugging tools; and some form of source control.
Python Specific Editors and IDEs
· Google Colab |
PyCharm from JetBrains
This is my personal favorite and I use this for most of my work. Let’s download and install PyCharm from JetBrains.com website:
https://www.jetbrains.com/products.html#lang=python
Select PyCharm Edu or Community version for us to practice and learn. It’s free to use:
When you open PyCharm, click on Create New Project and then select Pure Python. Change Untitle to a filename. Please refer PyCharm tutorial for detailed:
https://www.jetbrains.com/help/pycharm/quick-start-guide.html
Let’s create our first Python Program
1. Using PyCharm editor
a. Click the Create button.
b. Right-click on the project name (practice is the project name in my example below) in the sidebar and select New → Python File:
c. You will be asked to type the name, type hello.
d. You can now see a file opened for you
Output:
e. Type your program and hit Run
f. Select Filename from the list
g. Output is shown at the bottom of your screen