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Notepad++ vs PyCharm: What are the differences?
Introduction
Notepad++ and PyCharm are both popular code editors used by developers for programming. While they serve a similar purpose, there are key differences between the two that make them unique in their own ways. In this article, we will explore and compare these differences to help you choose the right tool for your coding needs.
User Interface and Design: Notepad++ has a simple and minimalistic user interface with a focus on lightweight usage. It provides a basic editor with essential features and customization options. On the other hand, PyCharm offers a more robust and feature-rich interface specifically tailored for Python development. It provides a comprehensive IDE experience with advanced debugging tools, code navigation, and built-in version control integration.
Language Support and Code Completion: Notepad++ is a general-purpose code editor with support for multiple programming languages. It offers basic syntax highlighting for various languages but lacks advanced language-specific features. PyCharm, being an IDE specifically designed for Python, provides extensive language support, code completion, and intelligent suggestions. It helps in detecting errors, suggesting code fixes, and enhancing productivity for Python developers.
Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Features: Notepad++ primarily focuses on providing a lightweight code editing experience and does not offer a full-fledged IDE environment. It lacks features like built-in debugging, integrated unit testing, and automated refactorings. PyCharm, being a dedicated IDE, offers all these features and more. It comes with a powerful debugger, support for virtual environments, automated testing, and advanced code refactoring tools, improving the overall development process.
Plugin Ecosystem and Extensibility: Notepad++ allows users to extend its functionality through the use of plugins. While it has a decent collection of plugins available, the overall ecosystem is not as extensive as that of PyCharm. PyCharm provides a wide range of plugins and integrations, making it more extensible and adaptable to different development workflows and requirements. It supports popular plugins for version control systems, build tools, and additional language support.
Python-Specific Tools and Frameworks Integration: Notepad++ lacks direct integration with Python-specific tools and frameworks. Although it can be used for Python development, it does not provide seamless integration with popular Python frameworks like Django or Flask. PyCharm, on the other hand, offers built-in support for various Python frameworks, making it easier to work with these frameworks by providing project templates, code generation, and automated setups.
Pricing and Licensing: Notepad++ is an open-source and free tool, available for everyone without any cost. PyCharm, on the other hand, comes in two versions - the Community Edition (free) and the Professional Edition (paid). The Professional Edition provides additional features and support for web development, database tools, and remote development, making it suitable for more advanced use cases.
In Summary, Notepad++ is a lightweight code editor with basic features and flexibility for multiple languages, while PyCharm is a comprehensive Python IDE offering advanced tools, extensive language support, and enhanced productivity features specific to Python development.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 :)
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.
Easy to learn and everything you need
Lightweight and versatile. Huge library of extensions that enable you to integrate a host of services to your development environment. VS Code's biggest strength is its library of extensions which enables it to directly compete with every single major IDE for almost all major programming languages.
Since communication with Github is not necessary, the Atom is less convenient in working with text and code. Sublim's support and understanding of projects is best for us. Notepad for us is a completely outdated solution with an unacceptable interface. We use a good theme for Sublim ayu-dark
Pros of Notepad++
- Syntax for all languages that i use103
- Tabbed ui59
- Great code editor56
- Fast and lightweight53
- Plugins38
- Nice GUI28
- Regex & Special Character Search & Replace26
- Fast startup16
- Application is free, and plugins are too9
- Themes9
- Free6
- Very Lightweight4
- 100% Free3
- Column selection2
- Awesome autocomplete1
- Easy edit on FTP servers (NppFTP)1
- Cos it's seck1
- Nice gui. are you kidding me?1
- Open Sourced1
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 Notepad++
- No default plugin manager3
- Can't install more advanced packets2
Cons of PyCharm
- Slow startup10
- Not very flexible7
- Resource hog6
- Periodic slow menu response3
- Pricey for full features1