PyCharm is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that provides tools for writing efficient code. It supports various frameworks such as Django, Flask, and Pyramid. PyCharm is majorly used by developers for application development with Python language. This PyCharm tutorial is entirely focused on answering the questions ‘What is PyCharm?’ and ‘Why do we use PyCharm for Python application development and for other frameworks?’
Table of Contents
What is an IDE?
An IDE typically has an editor and a compiler window. There, you can write our code, run it, and compile it. Hence, it becomes much easier to develop applications using an IDE. The major reasons for using an IDE are given below:
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- You can easily write our code in its text editor window.
- It consists of a project editor window, which helps you to store the resource files of a project.
- It helps you to debug your code easily.
- An IDE’s autosuggest feature helps you write efficient code.
- You can also import other projects and integrate them with the one you are already working on.
Now, let us talk about why we need an IDE.
Why do we need an IDE?
Suppose you are working on a project using Python. Python is a very popular language among developers, and it is used in many industries due to the following reasons:
1. Simple to code
Python is a language that is very easy to learn when it is compared to other programming languages. It is a developer-friendly language, which makes it a popular choice for both beginners and experienced programmers.
2. Object-oriented language
Python is a programming language that helps you to organize code using object-oriented ideas like classes and objects. This helps you to group related data and functions together.
3. GUI programming support
You can create graphical user interfaces using the Python Tkinter library. Besides, you can also use modules such as PyQt5, PyQt4, and wxPython to create a GUI application
4. High-level language
Python is a high-level programming language. You don’t have to worry about things like memory management or how the computer’s system works while you are writing code.
5. Portability
Python is a portable programming language, i.e., you can run Python codes on any platform. For example, a Python program that is written on Windows can also run on other OS like Unix, Linux, or MAC, without making any changes to the code.
6. Integrated language
Python is an integrated programming language. You can easily integrate C, C++, etc. with Python.
7. Interpreted language
Python is an interpreted programming language. This means the code that you have written at first is converted into bytecode. This bytecode is then run directly, so you don’t have to compile the code before running it.
8. Large set of standard libraries
Python consists of a rich set of modules, packages, and libraries. It helps in various stages of application development.
Now, you might wonder about where you can actually use the above-mentioned features of Python. This is where an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) becomes very helpful.
What is PyCharm?
PyCharm is among the most popular IDEs for application development in the industry. We use PyCharm as an IDE for developing applications in Python programming language. There are two versions of PyCharm: v2.x and v3.x.
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- PyCharm v2.x: This version of PyCharm includes the basic features that are required for Python development, like editing, debugging, and highlighting syntax. This version is suitable for small to medium projects.
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- PyCharm v3.x: This version of PyCharm is the more advanced one. It includes features like better support for web development, improved project management tools, and integration with frameworks like Django and Flask.
Now, we will discuss the installation of PyCharm.
Installing PyCharm
For installing PyCharm, first, go to the official website of JetBrains. The link is given below:
www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download/#section=windows
After opening the above link, we will see the following window:
From here, we can choose either a Community or a Professional version as per requirement and can download and install it in our system easily with no effort.
Later in this PyCharm tutorial, we see a detailed explanation of PyCharm installation in Windows, Linux, Ubuntu, and macOS.
Configuring and Customizing PyCharm
If you are someone who writes code, it is important for you to set up your working environment in a way that suits the style of your work. PyCharm provides you with many options to change the way it looks and works so that you can make it more comfortable and easier to use.
Some of the customization options that are available in PyCharm are given below:
1. Initial Configuration
When you open PyCharm for the first time after installation, you are guided through a configuration wizard. This wizard helps you to choose the theme you prefer (light or dark). It also helps you to configure the Python interpreter and set up integration with version control. These initial choices provided by PyCharm help you to establish a baseline environment that aligns with the way you like to code.
2. Choosing the Right Theme and Appearance
One of the first customizations you make in an IDE is selecting a theme that is easy on your eyes. PyCharm offers several built-in themes, including the Darcula theme for those who prefer dark interfaces. You can also explore and install additional themes from the JetBrains Plugin Marketplace. You can also adjust the font styles and sizes, which helps to reduce eye strain during long coding sessions.
3. Configuring the Python Interpreter
Moreover, we can configure the interpreter and projects in PyCharm. If we are working on Python projects, then we need to set up a Python interpreter for it. If we are working on a project in R programming language, we should use an R interpreter in PyCharm.
4. Customizing Code Style and Formatting
The readability of the code is also very important, and PyCharm helps you to define how your code should look. To adjust the indentation of code, line spacing, import orders, and naming conventions, just go to the Code Style settings. You can also create formatting rules that are related to your project, which helps to maintain consistency across team members working on shared codebases.
5. Keymap Configuration
The efficiency of your code improves when you use keyboard shortcuts, and you can customize these shortcuts through the Keymap settings. You can also pick a ready-made set of shortcuts (like the ones used in Visual Studio or Eclipse) or make your own customized shortcuts.
6. Installing and Managing Plugins
PyCharm helps you add extra features through plugins. Plugins are tools that help you to work with version control (like Git), managing databases, or even support other programming languages. Some of the plugins include Markdown, CSV Plugin, and Database Navigator, depending on the type of project you’re working on.
7. Customizing Tool Windows and Layouts
In PyCharm, you can easily customize the layout by moving, hiding, or undocking tools like the Project Explorer and Terminal. This helps you to organize your workspace in such a way that it fits your work style. Once you have set it up, you can save the layout as a custom workspace and return to it anytime you want. This makes your workflow smoother and more efficient.
8. Configuring External Tools
You can also use external tools like Flake8 for linting, Black for formatting your code, or Docker for managing containers. PyCharm makes it easy for you to connect these tools directly to the IDE. This means that you can use these external tools directly without switching to other apps, which helps you to stay focused and work faster. It is really useful because it provides you with all the extra features, like checking the errors in your code or formatting the code automatically inside PyCharm.
9. Setting Up Project Templates
When you work on similar types of projects, you can create project templates in PyCharm. These templates help you to predefine things like the structure of the folder, environment settings, and starter scripts. It helps you to save a lot of time because you don’t have to set up everything from scratch. Moreover, it helps you to be consistent with your work, especially when you are managing several projects or contributing to open-source code.
10. Syncing Settings Across Devices
If you are someone who works on multiple machines, there is one helpful feature in PyCharm called the JetBrains Account Sync. When you log in to your JetBrains account, it automatically syncs all your settings like themes, keymaps, and installed plugins across any system where you use PyCharm. Hence, there is no need for you to configure everything manually every time you switch between computers.
Conclusion
PyCharm has really made a huge difference in how you write and manage your Python code. It provides you with smart coding features, powerful debugging tools, and it also supports web development frameworks, which makes it a reliable platform for Python projects. If you are a beginner or have been coding for users, you should definitely go for PyCharm as it helps to boost your productivity and make the coding process more efficient.
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