Best Python IDEs for Linux
Looking to code Python on your Linux system? Here are the best IDEs you can use for Python programming in Linux desktop.
Python is a popular scripting language among Linux users. It is also used extensively in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, some of the most popular buzzwords in computing. Running Python script in Linux takes just a command. However, for serious Python programming, an IDE is always a better choice. An IDE combines various tools for seamless development with a specific programming language. Generally, it contains a code editor with syntax highlighting, a compiler and/or interpreter, debugging tools and other features needed to work with the specific programming language. If you are learning Python and want to use an IDE to test things, I have compiled a list of them to help you.
Many other IDEs are available for Python in Linux, which you won’t find here. They work with Python2 only (which has been deprecated). Hence, I have omitted such options.
1. Eric
Eric is an open-source editor based on the Qt6 toolkit and is written in Python itself. Eric boasts a ton of features for Python and is a proper IDE. It supports downloadable plugins, which can further extend its capabilities. It also has an Integrated Python debugger, Interactive Python shell, and Integrated support for Python Package Management (pip), to name a few of the many features it provides. Go check out the extensive list of its features on its official website.
2. Geany
Geany is an open source IDE based on the GTK3 toolkit, which is small and lightweight. Being a lightweight application, it runs perfectly fine on every type of Linux distro no matter the desktop environment. It supports many programming languages, including Python. It also supports some plugins to extend its capabilities. Not to forget, Geany is almost one of the best Notepad++ alternatives for Linux.
3. PyCharm
PyCharm is one of the most popular and advanced Python IDEs developed by JetBrains. JetBrains is the organization behind some of the best IDEs like Android Studio and the programming language Kotlin used for Android development. It is an open-source application which is quite an extensive application compared to others in the list. An open-source community edition is available for free. Although, a paid version is also available with more features needed for professional development, which is a proprietary edition. It has a load of features specific to the Python language, as it is specially tailored for the same. You can check out all its features on the website and its paid version’s pricing.
4. Spyder
Spyder is an open-source IDE based on a Qt toolkit designed for scientific use. It has MATLAB (language and platform for data analysis) like features. Spyder, being built for Scientific and Engineering applications, has features with which analysis can be done graphically using histograms, graphs, etc. Scientific tools provided by Spyder can be somewhat similar to the paid tools available with PyCharm. And that’s not all, it also provides a VIM plugin for providing VIM keybindings support. Visit Spyder’s website for more information about its applications for scientists and engineers.
5. Thonny
Thonny is an open source Python IDE based on the Tk GUI toolkit. It is tailored for teaching Python to beginners. Even though it uses a different GUI toolkit, Thonny is incredibly lightweight and simple to use when compared to other IDEs. If you are a beginner, go for it for its simplicity and small-sized installation. You can explore its GitHub page to know more about it.
6. Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is an open-source Electron-based application developed by Microsoft. The user experience is well-polished compared to most other options. It can be used for many programming languages. But, to use it for coding in Python, you need to grab the plugin that enables it. Once you install the plugin required, you can start writing code in Python and learn about issues through its debugger. Being an Electron-based application, some users may not like it for the extra overhead. But, it works fairly well! If you want to use Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code without all its telemetry, you can opt for VSCodium.
7. Bluefish
Bluefish is an open-source editor based on the GTK3 toolkit for web designers. However, being a very powerful editor, one can also use it to write code in Python. I did not find any way to execute the file in Bluefish, but it supports syntax highlighting. The development activity appears to be inactive since 2020. You can head on to its official website to know more.
Wrapping Up
One can arguably use any text editor which supports syntax highlighting for writing code in Python, e.g., Emacs and VIM also Notepadqq. But, in my opinion, using an IDE provides a more comfortable environment for coding as compared. Python has many applications, ranging from web development to artificial intelligence. Therefore, some IDEs can provide features specific to a particular application of Python, which may not be available in some IDEs. There is no good or bad IDE, as it all boils down to the thing you want to use Python for. Which IDE would you use for Python? Your suggestions are always welcome in the comments.
11 Best Python IDEs for Ubuntu in 2022
Python is one of the most widely used general purpose programming language. Most of the popular websites or application software that you use every day are powered by Python.
The reason behind the popularity of this programming language is its simple and easy to understand nature. Data Science and Data Analytics are applications of the Python programming. These fields are responsible for creating many jobs across the world.
There are many Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) available for editing and programming in Python. Personally, I prefer Vim in Ubuntu terminal but there many IDEs like PyCharm, GNU Emacs and Pyzo that are available for Ubuntu. So, today we are going to discuss these IDEs one-by-one.
1. Vim
- Syntax highlighting
- Support for other programming languages apart from Python
- Great community support
Vim is my #1 preferred IDE right from the college projects and even today because it makes the tedious task like programming very easy and enjoyable. Vim is also used by many developers and Linux users because it is very fast and is a highly customizable IDE. More importantly, Vim makes the debugging task easier and it has a support for many tools and plug-ins.
Vim can be used as both standalone application as well as command line interface. Many new users might find it difficult to use initially, but once you get used to it, you will love programming on Vim.
2. PyCharm
PyCharm is very popular cross-platform Python IDE which comes in two editions, namely community and professional edition. Community edition is free and open-source while the pro edition is paid. It is highly customizable and features rich IDE with features like Integrated Unit Testing and Python Debugger, error highlighting, code analysis, and many more which you can expect in IDE.
Pycharm has one of the best GUI as compared to the other Python IDEs and could be good choice for professional developers. It is available for the latest releases of Ubuntu under Snap package and can be downloaded directly from Ubuntu Software Centre.
3. Eric
Eric is an open-source integrated development environment written and developed in Python. It is a cross-platform IDE with support for many programming languages including Python. Eric IDE is bundled with so many features which includes code auto-completion, error highlighting, integrated Python debugger, advance search, syntax highlighting, etc.
Eric has simple but highly customizable GUI with support for plug-ins and extensions. It also sports integrated class browser which you will not find in any IDEs.
4. Pyzo
- Interactive user interface
- No need of Python interpreter
Pyzo is an open-source programming environment based on Python. It is uses conda to manage the Python packages. It is a simple and interactive IDE but there is no compromise with its features. Some of the features include syntax highlighting, indentation guide, Matlab like UI, drag and drop files and directories, etc.
Pyzo also features interactive help, file browser, and has support for all the major programming languages. Pyzo can be downloaded and installed from the Software Centre or terminal command.
$ sudo apt-get install python3-pip python3-pyqt4
$ sudo python –m pip install pyzo –upgrade
Once the installation is complete, run the following command to start the Pyzo IDE.
5. Spyder
Spyder is a cross-platform integrated development environment that is especially designed for scientific programing in Python. It is a multi-language IDE with features like code auto-completion, syntax highlighting, code analysis, horizontal and vertical splitting.
Spyder has layout-based UI which makes it easily navigated and easy to use for new users as well.
6. GNU Emacs
GNU Emacs is an integrated development environment developed under the GNU project. It is a cross-platform code editor. It is a customizable code editor with support for Python programming language out of the box. It is one of the most powerful IDEs available for programming in Python.
GNU Emacs has simple user interface which offers excellent end user experience. Emacs is not only limited to programming as you can use it for web browsing, email, etc.
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kelleyk/emacs
$ sudo apt-get install emacs
7. Atom
Atom is a free and open-source text editor with features like any integrated development environments. It is developed by GitHub and supports almost all the major programming languages including Python. By installing some extensions and plug-ins, you can bring the IDE-like functionality to Atom.
Atom has slick user interface and offers features like auto-completion, syntax highlighting, diagnostics, and many more.
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/atom
8. PyDev (Eclipse)
PyDev is a third-party plug-in for Eclipse which is an integrated development environment developed for scientific programing in Python. It offers features such as code analysis, graphical debugging, code refactoring, etc.
As PyDev is integrated in Eclipse, it has a very good user interface. It also has integration with PyLint. To use the PyDev, you just need to install the Eclipse from the Ubuntu Software Center and add the PyDev plug-in to it.
9. Wing
Wing is an IDE developed by Wingware. It is especially designed for Python programming language. Wing offers many features such as auto-completion, auto-editing, source browser, code navigation, and both local and remote debugging.
Wing has flexible user interface with everything placed perfectly so that you can easily find whatever you want.
Download Wing package from here:
10. Thonny
Thonny is a simple IDE especially designed for beginners. It has simple and easy use user interface with some basic features like debugger, code completion, etc. Thonny comes loaded with Python 3.6 built out of the box which requires simple installer to get started with Python programming.
The best thing about Thonny is that it has a beginner-friendly system shell. You can open the system shell from the Tools many to install the extra packages or to learn the Python handling on the command line. You can download and install Thonny from Ubuntu Software Centre.
11. IDLE
IDLE is an integrated development environment for Python programming language. It is written in Python programming language and Tkinter GUI toolkit. It is a cross-platform IDE which also works effortlessly on Windows and macOS apart from Linux and its distributions.
Talking about the features it offers, the multiple windows, auto completion, colorizing of code input are one of the many noteworthy features. Apart from that, it is also a highly configurable Python IDE.
$ sudo apt-get install idle3
Conclusion
To conclude, selecting the best IDE always depends on the programmer’s preferences and needs. The IDEs listed here are the best in terms of code editing, debugging, and overall user experience.
About the author
Swapnil Tirthakar
A Software Engineer who loves football and passionate about traveling. I often spend my free time playing with gadgets and exploring new possibilities in tech world. I am Linux enthusiast and have about 6 years of experience in web development. I have good command on Python, Java, SQL and system security.