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Anaconda vs PyCharm: What are the differences?
Anaconda and PyCharm are essential tools for Python developers, offering distinct functionalities in the development process. Let's discuss the key differences between the two.
Installation and Usage: Anaconda is a distribution platform for Python and R, which provides a comprehensive package management system, while PyCharm is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) specifically designed for Python development. Anaconda requires a separate installation and setup process, whereas PyCharm can be easily installed and used directly.
Package Management: Anaconda comes with its own package management system called Conda, which allows users to easily manage and install packages, libraries, and environments. On the other hand, PyCharm relies on the Python Package Index (PyPI) and the pip package manager for package management, requiring users to manually install and manage packages using the command line or a GUI-based tool.
Environment and Project Management: Anaconda provides a seamless environment and project management system, allowing users to create and manage isolated environments with specific package versions using Conda. PyCharm also offers environment and project management capabilities, but it mainly relies on virtual environments created using virtualenv or venv.
Code Editing and Debugging: PyCharm offers a wide range of advanced code editing features, including syntax highlighting, code completion, and refactoring tools. It also provides an integrated debugger, allowing users to debug their Python code within the IDE. While Anaconda does not provide such extensive code editing and debugging features, it can be used with other text editors or IDEs like Visual Studio Code or Jupyter Notebook for similar functionalities.
Integration with Data Science Libraries: Anaconda is widely known for its integration with various data science libraries and tools, such as NumPy, Pandas, and scikit-learn. It comes pre-installed with these libraries, making it easier for data scientists and analysts to work with them. PyCharm, on the other hand, does not come bundled with these libraries and requires manual installation, but it provides seamless integration with them once installed.
Target Audience and Use Case: Anaconda is primarily targeted towards data scientists, machine learning engineers, and researchers who work extensively with data science libraries and need a comprehensive platform for package management and environment setup. PyCharm, on the other hand, is a general-purpose IDE aimed at Python developers who focus on software development tasks and require advanced code editing and debugging features.
In summary, Anaconda is a distribution platform specifically designed for data science tasks, offering a comprehensive package management system and integration with data science libraries. On the other hand, PyCharm is a versatile IDE for general-purpose Python development, providing extensive code editing and debugging features.
UPDATE: Thanks for the great response. I am going to start with VSCode based on the open source and free version that will allow me to grow into other languages, but not cost me a license ..yet.
I have been working with software development for 12 years, but I am just beginning my journey to learn to code. I am starting with Python following the suggestion of some of my coworkers. They are split between Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA for IDEs that they use and PyCharm is new to me. Which IDE would you suggest for a beginner that will allow expansion to Java, JavaScript, and eventually AngularJS and possibly mobile applications?
Pycharm is great for python development, but can feel sometimes slow and community version has Somme very annoying restrictions (like they disabled jupyter notebooks plugin and made it premium feature). I personally started looking into VS Code as an alternative, and it has some very good potential. I suggest you take it into account.
The Community version of PyCharm is free and should give you what you need to get started with Python. Both PyCharm and IntelliJ are made by JetBrains. IntelliJ is initially focused on Java but you can get plugins for lots of other things. I subscribe to JetBrains' Toolbox: https://www.jetbrains.com/toolbox-app/ and have access to all of their great tools.
Hi, I will give my opinion based on my experience. I have used PyCharm, both community and Professional version. The community has limited functions, like you can't use a Jupyter notebook whereas it's available in the Professional version. PyCharm is slower compared to Visual Studio Code. Also Visual Studio Code is an editor which supports various languages. I myself have used both Visual Studio Code and PyCharm. I feel Visual Studio Code would be better choice. You may as well decide based upon your requirements.
I couldn't imagine using a development tool other than the IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate All Products Pack. A single license allows me to work directly on my server running Ubuntu and/or my workstation running Windows 10 Pro simultaneously. My current project uses HTML, W3CSS, JavaScript, Java, Groovy, Grails, C, GO, Python, Flask, and Rust. For me it's worth every penny of the $150 license fee. And you can try it for free.
Visual Studio code is easy to use, has a good UI, and a large community. Python works great with it, but unlike some other editors, it works with most languages either by default or by downloading a plugin. VS Code has built in linting, syntax coloring, autocompletes (IntelliSense), and an api for plugins to do there own tooling.
I'd personally recommend Visual Studio Code as it gives you the flexibility of working in any language, so long as there are extensions to support it. It gives you the flexibility to learn Python, venture into Java, Javascript, and eventually AngularJS, and potentially mobile applications. It's also free and you can install it on your personal computer. I think Visual Studio Code would serve your intended use case best.
IntelliJ really is the best for Java, I switched from eclipse years ago and never looked back. As for javascript, python and angular either using the standalone products from jetbrains (pycharm for python, webstorm for js) or installing the relevant plugins for InteliJ will be your best bet. Pycharm etc. are really just InteliJ with some additional plugins installed.
If you starting with Python then PyCharm is better. For Java I would suggest to go with IntelliJ IDEA but people also prefer eclipse so I would say try both and then decide. For JS/Angular/React I would suggest go with VSCode. I personally use it and prefer as its light weight and have good integration with chrome for frontend development.
PyCharm, IntelliJ IDEA are both products of JetBrains. They have a free (limited feature) and paid edition. Eclipse is free. VSCode is also free.
Easy to learn and everything you need
This is a very easy to use tool and gives you the opportunity to start coding right after the installation with almost everything setup automatically by the tool.
All three are great, however, I believe that IntelliJ IDEA's multiple IDE's are slightly more straight-forward and more up-to date than Eclipse. If I had to choose one specifically for Python projects I would go with PyCharm.
Pycharm is all you need to get start coding in python or any of its framework. Its an awesome tool you should give it a try :)
Pros of Anaconda
Pros of PyCharm
- Smart auto-completion112
- Intelligent code analysis93
- Powerful refactoring77
- Virtualenv integration60
- Git integration54
- Support for Django22
- Multi-database integration11
- VIM integration7
- Vagrant integration4
- In-tool Bash and Python shell3
- Plugin architecture2
- Docker2
- Django Implemented1
- Debug mode support docker1
- Emacs keybinds1
- Perforce integration1
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Cons of Anaconda
Cons of PyCharm
- Slow startup10
- Not very flexible7
- Resource hog6
- Periodic slow menu response3
- Pricey for full features1
