IDLE vs PyCharm as editors?

[Emerogork]

I may be biased because I started with IDLE but want to get beyond that.

I am almost a 1 week Pythoner and managed to get through a 5 hour tutorial on Python. Having years of Assembly, Pascal, C, C++, HTML/CSS, Javascript, BASIC and Visual BASIC among others, I was able to get going quickly, and have coded my first Python program destined to become my first app.

The instructor used IDLE. It was suggested that I check out Kivy and in that video, Pycharm was used. Although Pycharm has line numbers, I see little benefit to using it. I find IDLE easier to see if not only for its use colors. After that, I have not done much with either one.

It also appears that I cannot have both on my system. When I installed Pycharm, IDLE was no longer accessible until I uninstalled Pycharm.


Is there a benefit for me in app development for one over the other?
Is there a way to have both that I nigh flip from one to the other?
Might there be a down side to using one over the other?

[nilamo]

You've used other languages, so you've probably learned by now that the editor you use is almost completely irrelevant :p
The only things that matter are all pretty much just personal preference.  Personally, I like having a file browser built in, so I can easily see the directory structure and switch between files.  And syntax highlighting.  For me, having a built-in debugger is only something I like in C# (I write python, c#, rust, html/css/javascript), as I normally have a console open for running python anyway.

That all said, I'd suggest trying Visual Studio Code.  It's open source, runs on the Big Three platforms, and has all the necessities alongside quite a few nice-to-haves.

[Emerogork]

You do not mention which editor you prefer.

Up until now it has been Notepad and Visual Studio for VB.
I read somewhere that IDLE or Pycharm is the way to go for the program-to-app advantage. 
You seem to say that it doesn't matter.

Thanks for your response.

[buran]

IDLE is terrible, really terrible IDE, so this is not actually question IDLE vs PyCharm, but PyCharm or other IDE (not IDLE). There are alternatives to PyCharm.This is discussed multiple times on the forum so please, search relevant threads.

[nilamo]

You do not mention which editor you prefer.

That all said, I'd suggest trying Visual Studio Code.

I like that one, or Notepad++ (sometimes just any random editor is fine).

[snippsat]

I read somewhere that IDLE or Pycharm is the way to go for the program-to-app advantage.

IDLE is not the way to go,it's just bad think most agree about this.
Thonny is IDLE done right,if want an alternative.
Pycharm is a very strong editor for Python.

I VS Code(my quick review) which is a multi-language like Atom and Sublime text.
VS Code has very good Python support,as Microsoft has hired the creator of the Python extension.

A good REPL can also be important.
ptpython(review) or ipython.

[buran]

I also use VS Code and would recommend it (used PyCharm Community Edition in the past).
Also Notepad++ with some plugings on Windows for small scripts/quick and dirty jobs.

[Emerogork]

I am sure there are suggestions on either side based on functionality so being new to Idle, and less so to Pycharm, it will be a learning experience.  Please don't say "I like this one" but say "I like this one because..."

My first interest is to get one that work best for my aging eyes and aging monitor. 
Well, I can get a new monitor....

Color coding, contrast, font size (Or these available in all of them?)

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[quote="Emerogork" pid="34675" dateline="1514485438"]
Pycharm is a very strong editor for Python.

Ok, something I can work with. 
What makes pycharm better for python, other than the name?