We evaluate 13 different Python IDEs to find the best options for beginners specifically suited for scientific and engineering applications. Our focus is on free, beginner-friendly solutions that work right out of the box, comparing features from JupyterLab to VSCode.
Key Selection Criteria
Our main focus is on beginner-friendliness, which means:
– Easy setup process
– Works out of the box
– Free to use
– Sufficient functionality for basic needs
– Final recommendations based on practical testing
Eliminated IDEs
1. PyCharm and Wing IDE
– Jupiter notebook features only available in paid pro versions
– Not suitable for our free-focused comparison
2. Zed IDE
– Currently only available for macOS
– Limited features compared to alternatives
– Not recommended until Windows/Linux support is added
3. Online Interpreters (Google Colab, Project IDX)
– Privacy concerns with code usage
– Limited functionality compared to local installations
– Connectivity requirements and potential disconnection issues
4. VS Code.dev and GitHub Codespaces
– Limited functionality in web versions
– Environment setup complications
– Connection stability issues
5. Spyder IDE
– Requires additional setup for notebook features
– Better suited for larger projects
– Less intuitive for beginners compared to JupyterLab
6. Jupyter Notebook
– Discontinued development
– Buggy features
– Replaced by more modern alternatives
Final Contenders
After our thorough evaluation, we’ve narrowed down our list to three remaining options:
1. JupyterLab Desktop
2. JupyterLab Classic
3. Anaconda Cloud
What’s Next?
In our next article, we’ll take a detailed look at these three final contenders to determine which one is the best choice for beginners in Python programming. We’ll examine their specific features, compare their user interfaces, and provide practical examples of how they handle common programming tasks.
This article is based on a comprehensive video tutorial by Dr. Maurice Maurer. For more detailed insights and live demonstrations, check out our YouTube channel Training Scientists.