PyCharm

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PyCharm is rapidly becoming the de facto IDE for developers who need to focus on business productivity or advanced learning in Python, and spend less time writing print statements to debug their code. Easy to install on both Windows and MacOS via the Java runtime, PyCharm is a powerful tool for creating value with the Python language. In this video I am going to show How to Install Matplotlib On PyCharm IDE. This same procedure can be used to to include Python external libraries, like NumP. PyCharm, created by the Czech company JetBrains, is a popular Integrated Development Environment (IDE) used in programming, particularly for the Python programming language. It is written in Java and Python, and its initial release was in February of 2010. PyCharm works with Windows, macOS, and Linux versions.

  • What is PyCharm used for?
  • Features of PyCharm
  • Installing and Setting Up PyCharm
    • For Linux
  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Using PyCharm
  • Python was created in the early 1990s by Guido van Rossum at Stichting Mathematisch Centrum in the Netherlands as a successor of a language called ABC. Guido remains Python’s principal author, although it includes many contributions from others.
  • PyCharm is an integrated development environment (IDE) used in computer programming, specifically for the Python language. It is developed by the Czech company JetBrains. It provides code analysis, a graphical debugger, an integrated unit tester, integration with version control systems (VCSes), and supports web development with Django as well as data science with Anaconda.

PyCharm is one of the most popular Python IDEs. There is a multitude of reasons for this, including the fact that it is developed by JetBrains, the developer behind the popular IntelliJ IDEA IDE that is one of the big 3 of Java IDEs and the “smartest JavaScript IDE” WebStorm. Having the support for web development by leveraging Django is yet another credible reason.

There are a galore of factors that make PyCharm one of the most complete and comprehensive integrated development environments for working with the Python programming language.

Before proceeding further into exploring the know-how of PyCharm i.e., features, installation, and pros & cons, let’s first get a brief introduction to PyCharm.

What is PyCharm?

Available as a cross-platform application, PyCharm is compatible with Linux, macOS, and Windows platforms. Sitting gracefully among the best Python IDEs, PyCharm provides support for both Python 2 (2.7) and Python 3 (3.5 and above) versions. Summicron 50mm f2 serial numbers.

PyCharm comes with a plethora of modules, packages, and tools to hasten Python development while cutting-down the effort required to do the same to a great extent, simultaneously. Further, PyCharm can be customized as per the development requirements, and personal preferences call for. It was released to the public for the very first time back in February of 2010. In addition to offering code analysis, PyCharm features:

  • A graphical debugger
  • An integrated unit tester
  • Integration support for version control systems (VCSs)
  • Support for data science with Anaconda

What is PyCharm used for?

The main reason Pycharm for the creation of this IDE was for Python programming, and to operate across multiple platforms like Windows, Linux, and macOS. The IDE comprises code analysis tools, debugger, testing tools, and also version control options. It also assists developers in building Python plugins with the help of various APIs available. The IDE allows us to work with several databases directly without getting it integrated with other tools. Although it is specially designed for Python, HTML, CSS, and Javascript files can also be created with this IDE. It also comes with a beautiful user interface that can be customized according to the needs using plugins.

What is an IDE?

PyCharm is an extremely popular Python IDE. An Integrated Development Environment or IDE features a code editor and a compiler for writing and compiling programs in one or many programming languages.

Furthermore, an IDE comes with a galore of features that facilitate comprehensive software development. As an IDE allocates different colors to different programming entities, typically known as syntax highlighting, it becomes more accessible to:

  • Differentiate between various programming entities, such as a class and a function, and to spot them.
  • Look for the wrong keywords.
  • Read and comprehend the code.

Most IDEs feature an auto-complete feature that produces suggestions when writing code. This makes writing code more efficient, quick, and less prone to errors and typos. Other standard features offered by a modern IDE are:

  • Project editor window for efficiently managing and organizing files necessary for a program/project.
  • Inspecting the output of the code written using the output window
  • Suggestions for resolving errors and warnings
  • A range of modules and packages readily available at a single place

PyCharm Pricing Model

PyCharm is offered in three variants:

  • A freemium version dubbed The Community Edition available under the Apache License.
  • A commercial version labeled Professional Edition available under a proprietary license.
  • A free-to-use educational version dubbed the Edu Edition, aimed for students and professionals interested in learning Python, available under the Apache License.

Features of PyCharm

1. Intelligent Code Editor

PyCharm comes with a smart code editor that facilitates writing high-quality Python code. It offers an enhanced level of code comprehension and readability by means of distinct color schemes for keywords, classes, and functions, i.e., syntax and error highlighting.

In addition to offering the smart code completion feature, the code editor generates instructions for completing the current code. Identifying errors and issues is much more comfortable, along with linter integration and quick fixes.

2. Availability of Integration Tools

PyCharm provides support for integrating a range of tools. These tools vary from helping in enhancing the code productivity to facilitate dealing with data science projects. Some of the most essential integration tools available for PyCharm include:

  • Anaconda - A free and open-source Python distribution geared towards scientific computing with simplified package management and deployment.
  • IPython - A robust command shell for interactive computing.
  • Kite - An AI-powered autocomplete plugin.
  • Pylint - A source-code, bug, and quality checker.
  • pytest - A framework for writing small tests for Python code.
  • WakaTime - A developer dashboard with productivity metrics and automatic time tracking

3. Data Science and Machine Learning [Professional Edition Only]

PyCharm comes with support for scientific libraries, such as Matplotlib and SciPy, to help Python developers accomplish data science and machine learning projects.

4. Google App Engine [Professional Edition Only]

Google App Engine, or directly App Engine, is a PaaS and cloud computing platform targeted towards developing and hosting web applications. It offers automatic scaling for web applications. The professional edition of PyCharm provides support for Google App Engine.

5. Integrated Debugging and Testing

An IDE comes with support for debugging and testing programs. To accomplish the same, PyCharm features an integrated Python debugger and integrated unit testing with line-by-line code coverage.

6. Multi-technology Development [Professional Edition Only]

Python developers can also use PyCharm for creating web applications. As such, the Python IDE provides support for popular web technologies, including CoffeeScript, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, TypeScript. Additionally, it also includes support for Cython, template languages, and SQL.

Live editing is also available in PyCharm, i.e., developers can create/modify a web page while pushing it live simultaneously. Hence, changes can be followed directly on a web browser. Building web applications using AngularJS or NodeJS is also available.

7. Project and Code Navigation

The code navigation feature makes it much easier for developers to navigate to a class, function, or file. It also helps in significantly cutting-down effort and time required to edit and enhance the Python code. File structure views and specialized project views are readily available.

Pycharm For Windows

The lens mode allows a developer to inspect and debug the entire Python source code thoroughly. With code navigation, locating an element, variable, etc. is done in almost no time. Developers can quickly jump between classes, files, and methods.

8. Refactoring

The refactoring feature in PyCharm helps in improving the internal structure of a Python program without affecting the external performance of the same. Making changes to both local and global variables is efficient and fast.

The extract method is also there to split up extended classes and functions. Other useful code refactoring features include:

  • Introduce constant
  • Introduce variable
  • Pull up
  • Push down
  • Rename

9. Remote Development

PyCharm allows running, debugging, testing, and deploying applications on remote hosts or virtual machines. For the purpose, the Python IDE offers:

  • An integrated SSH terminal
  • Docker and Vagrant integration
  • Remote interpreters

10. Support for Popular Python Web Frameworks [Professional Edition Only]

PyCharm lets developers leverage Django in their Python development projects. The Python IDE offers the autocomplete feature and generates suggestions for Django.

Debugging code written using Django is also available. PyCharm also provides support for other popular Python frameworks, namely Flask, Pyramid, and web2py.

11. Version Control Systems (VCSs) Integration

In its simplicity, a version control system (VCS) keeps track of the changes made to files, applications, and other sources of information. It can be considered as a database of changes.

PyCharm provides a unified user interface for CVS, Git, Mercurial, Perforce, and Subversion.

Other Pycharm Features

Other than the aforementioned features, PyCharm offers the following capabilities:

  • Code generation for generating language-specific code constructs.
  • Code reference information for instantly accessing API documentation, hints on using various programming entities, etc
  • File templates for creating scripts, stub classes, etc
  • Import assistance for importing missing libraries
  • Intention actions and quick fixes for optimizing code
  • Language-specific tools for developing, running, testing, and deploying applications
  • Language injections to work with supported languages inside attributes, tags, or string literals
  • Live templates for expanding abbreviations into complicated code constructs

Installing and Setting Up PyCharm

Minimum System Requirements

Memory - 4GB
Storage Space - 2.5GB (main) + 1GB (caches)
Resolution - 1024x768
OS - 64-bit version of macOS 10.11/Microsoft Windows 7 SP1/any Linux distribution supporting Gnome, KDE, or Unity DE

Recommended System Requirements

Memory - 8GB
Storage Space - 5GB of SSD
Resolution - 1920x1080
OS - Any latest 64-bit version of macOS/Microsoft Windows/Linux

One of the significant advantages is that PyCharm brings to the Python development table is easy installation and less setup time. There are three modes of installation available for PyCharm:

1. Standalone Installation

Here is how to install the popular Python IDE in the traditional way:

  • Step #01 - Go to https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download.
  • Step #02 - Choose a platform among Windows, Mac, and Linux.

For Windows

  • Step #03 - Choose the PyCharm edition; Professional (paid), or Community (free).
  • Step #04 - Hit the Download button to start downloading the .exe installer.
  • Step #05 - Once downloaded, successfully run the installer and follow the setup wizard steps.

For macOS

  • Step #03 - Choose the PyCharm edition; Professional (paid), or Community (free).
  • Step #04 - Hit the Download button to start downloading the .dmg disk image.
  • Step #05 - Mount the disk image and drag the PyCharm app to the Applications folder.

For Linux

Step #03 - For creating a desktop entry, either:

PyCharm
  • Click Configure | Create Desktop Entry on the Welcome screen

OR

  • Click Tools | Create Desktop Entry from the main menu
  • Using Snap Packages - Snap packages can be used to install PyCharm for Ubuntu 16.04 and later. As such, two channels, stable and edge, are available for distributing PyCharm:

(Stable channel)

Step #04 - Run the following command to install the latest stable release of PyCharm:

(Edge channel)

Step #04 - Run the following command to install the latest EAP (Early Access Program) release of PyCharm:

Step #05 - Run pycharm-community/pycharm-educational/pycharm-professional in the Terminal.

Using Tar Archives

Step #04 - Unpack the pycharm-community/educational/professional.tar.gz file to a new_folder using the command:

For unpacking PyCharm in the recommended /opt installation location, use:

Step #05 - Use the following command to switch to the bin subdirectory:

* = Either community or professional or educational

Step #06 - Finally, use this command to run PyCharm:

Notes:

  • To use the PyCharm Edu edition, you can either download it (or install edutools plugin if you already have installed PyCharm Community or Professional edition) from here:
    • https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm-edu/download/index.html#section=mac (For macOS)
    • https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm-edu/download/index.html#section=linux (For Linux)
    • https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm-edu/download/index.html#section=windows (For Windows)
  • Verify the integrity of the archive/downloaded disk image/installer using the SHA checksum linked from the https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/download/download-thanks.html page.

2. Silent Installation (Available only for Microsoft Windows)

Silent installation is the preferred method for installing PyCharm when network admins need to do it for several machines without interrupting other users. To do so, first, download the PyCharm installer and then run the installer with the following switches:

Download the silent configuration file from:

  • https://download.jetbrains.com/python/silent.config (For Community and Professional editions)
  • https://download.jetbrains.com/python/edu_silent.config (For the Edu edition)

If you’ve downloaded the silent configuration file to the Downloads folder, the user name is some user and would like to install PyCharm in C drive to a PyCharm folder then the command will be:

pycharm.exe /S /CONFIG=c:userssomeusersilent.config(or edu_silent.config) /D=c:PyCharm

3. Using the JetBrains TOOLBOX App

Download the JetBrains TOOLBOX App to easily download PyCharm and stay in the loop with the future updates for the same.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using PyCharm

When it comes to Python development, PyCharm is a sure shot. Though it has a range of advantages, it doesn’t mean that the popular Python IDE is flawless. Therefore, before picking it up, ensure that you ultimately benefit from it. Here are the important feats and flaws of PyCharm to consider:

Advantages

  • A plethora of productive shortcuts
  • Ability to view the entire Python source code with a single click
  • Availability of an array of plugins
  • Easy-to-use
  • Excellent community support
  • Facilitates faster code development
  • More powerful, commercial version available
  • Straightforward installation process

Disadvantages

  • Costly paid version
  • May pose issues when trying to fixing tools like venv
  • Not suitable for Python beginners
  • Resource-intensive application, i.e., requires plenty of memory and storage space

Who Uses PyCharm?

PyCharm serves as the go-to Python IDE for several big names, including:

  • Amazon
  • Facebook
  • Lyft
  • Meltwater
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Uploadcare

Competitors of PyCharm

PyCharm is, obviously, not the only efficient Python IDE. There are several others. Each one of them is preferred over the rest by virtue of their respective abilities and features. Top competitors of PyCharm are:

  • Cloud9 IDE
  • Codenvy
  • Eclipse + PyDev
  • Komodo IDE
  • The Jupyter Notebook
  • Wind Python IDE

Conclusion

PyCharm is, undoubtedly, one of the most efficient and powerful IDEs for tackling Python development. The continuously rising popularity of Python ensures that the Python IDE will continue to be developed for the better over time and will attract new Python developers.

What do you think about PyCharm? Absolutely love it or don’t like it at all? Let us know in the comments. If you are preparing for a Python-based job interview, then check out these best Python interview questions.

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Table of Contents

  • PyCharm Editions and Features
  • Pycharm Installation on Windows and MacOS

About PyCharm

PyCharm is a fully-featured IDE for the Python language, based on the powerful IntelliJ Idea Java IDE from JetBrains. Not only does PyCharm support an array of enterprise-level features, but it’s also a pleasure to work with. For many curious developers, PyCharm is the next step after learning environments like iPython notebooks, and is a popular choice for full stack application development.

PyCharm leverages management of project environments (VENV), the Python interactive console, Jupyter Notebooks, and even a system terminal emulator to make Python editing user-friendly. Developers with experience in Eclipse or Visual Studio will find PyCharm comfortable and intuitive. The PyCharm IDE focuses exclusively on Python language applications instead of generalizing to a wide array of languages with unnecessary tools.

Many Python coders enjoy the ability to follow declarations of classes and methods as though they were links in a web page, instantly opening relevant source files. Active code inspection highlights potential issues – such as unexpected arguments and unused import statements – which could be using valuable resources, or just taking up space. These inspections may be turned on or off quickly from the settings search bar.

PyCharm Editions and Features

The majority of features are included in PyCharm Community Edition (free), which is an excellent tool for getting started with PyCharm. Most python language use-cases are covered in the community edition. However, there are some advanced features only available in the Professional edition, with a monthly or annual subscription ($8.90 per month as of this blog post).

Critical IntelliJ IDE features are included in the free Community Edition.

Core Features (All Editions)

Both Community and Professional editions allow advanced editing of the Python language. The free Community edition is an excellent tool for working with and understanding Python.

  1. Visual Debugging
    For single-threaded applications, debugging in the console line-by-line is often the best choice. Code snippets can be executed easily without running the entire file. However, PyCharm offers a smart, visual debugger for multi-threaded applications like Django web apps. Breakpoints are easily set in the source code, and the current values and types of variables are displayed on execution. Switching to a different frame shows the current line, even in an imported module running in another thread.As the code is executed, graphical buttons and keyboard shortcuts allow the coder to “step into” the code, one line at a time, or resume until the next breakpoint. Frames and contexts are updated based on the current module and thread.
  2. Code Inspection, Syntax Highlighting
    For many developers, syntax highlighting encompasses the entire purpose of an IDE. Python coders get a high-level view of their code, quickly seeing the difference between class definitions, methods, and data types with Syntax highlighting.Method and Class definitions stand out, while strings and numerical types are more subtle. IntelliJ has included a variety of color schemes, but the default themes are suitable for most use-cases. In addition, comments utilizing Python’s self-documenting syntax are auto-populated for classes and functions.PyCharm inspects every definition to check that your code will run in the Python interpreter even before execution.
  3. Version Control
    PyCharm is compatible with a variety of version control systems (CVS, Git, etc.) that are accessible from the Tools menu. Projects can be updated with the click of a mouse or via customizable shortcuts. Updates may be committed to version control with the click of a button, or with customizable shortcuts as well.
  4. Automatic PEP Formatting
    Python developers understand the importance of complying with community standards, such as PEP8. Simply by pressing Control + Alt + L source code is formatted with standards that are difficult to see in plain text editors, like replacing tab characters with spaces, or adding a specific number of blank lines between comments, class definitions, and functions. Auto-formatting also cleans up python data structures (like deeply nested dictionaries) to make them more readable.
  5. Graphical Installation of Python Modules
    Most Python projects import packages and modules from the open-source community via the PyPi registry. While the command line is the fastest way to install a known-module, many coders find it convenient to browse the selection from inside the IDE. PyCharm installs and inspects these modules behind the scenes while the developer continues working, with notifications about progress – and even memory usage – in the status bar.

Best Plugins for Pycharm

We’ve found the best plugins for PyCharm so you can code more efficiently.

Professional Features (Paid Professional Edition Only)

The most common professional features fall into three categories:

  1. Web Development
    Web developers who work with Python frameworks like Flask, Pyramid, or Django will benefit the most from PyCharm Professional edition. Stubbed out projects with ready-made run configurations are available out-of-the-box.
  2. UML Diagrams
    Complex applications can be confusing to navigate, and no two diagramming tools are alike. While Pythonistas rarely shy away from complexity – simplicity and readability are core values for the community. Developers can easily tease apart complicated code structures by right clicking a python file and generating a UML Class diagram.
  3. Database Tools
    Python is known for being data-friendly, and developers and novices often want to see their data without hunting for third party tools. PyCharm professional allows developers to access table visualizations and inspect data via automatically generated SQL queries. Simply clicking on a database file reveals an array of tools which rival third party SQL database suites, like MySQL Workbench.
Kite is a plugin for PyCharm, Atom, Vim, VSCode, Sublime Text, and IntelliJ that uses machine learning to provide you with code completions in real time sorted by relevance. Start coding faster today.

Popular Plugins

Although PyCharm is an excellent IDE on its own, third parties have created hundreds of useful enhancements. Developers can install plugins from the settings >> plugins menu Control + Alt + S. Plugins are created both by IntelliJ to implement features, third party companies, and by the Python community.

  1. Grep Console
    Grep console highlights console output based on simple regex search patterns. This plug-in will even play custom sounds when a program outputs a specific pattern. For example, Grep Console could play a song when a test-suite passes, or sound an alarm on failure.
  2. Kite
    Kite is an exciting, AI-driven copilot. Kite detects common expressions, and displays module documentation as you go, inspecting your code and making intelligent suggestions. Although you may configure the Kite plug-in from settings, it is automatically added to PyCharm during the Kite installation process.
  3. Github
    The Github plug-in places commit, push, and even rollback buttons right on the toolbar, allowing teams on Github to rebase their local code without leaving the IDE. Developers can map keyboard shortcuts to each command, check todo items before a push, and see diff comparisons in the commit pop-up.
  4. JSON and CSV Formatting
    These two plug-ins highlight JSON syntax and format CSV files in way that is easy on the eyes, clearly identifying rows columns. The JSON plugin reveals formatting issues and errors when saving JSON data to a static file.

Other popular plugins include Docker integration, .ignore (an extremely thorough creation of various ignore files), and IdeaVim (Vim keyboard shortcuts for IntelliJ).

Pycharm Installation on Windows and MacOS

Pycharm Download For Windows

Setting up PyCharm on Windows

Python developers choose PyCharm for Windows due to simplicity and predictability. PyCharm is compatible with any version of Python, and may even be installed before choosing a distribution of the Python interpreter.

  1. Download PyCharm
    Open your favorite browser, and head to the Pycharm download section, which will detect your OS. PyCharm is available for both 32 bit and 64 bit machines.
  2. Begin the Installation Process
    Once your download is complete, navigate to the executable file in the explorer. Run the executable file. The windows installer for PyCharm is straightforward and intuitive.It is a good idea to associate PyCharm with .py files, especially if PyCharm is the primary Python IDE.
  3. Configure PyCharm
    Python may be installed before or after PyCharm installation. Usually, Python should be installed in a location that is easy to find, like C:/Python37.The most important step is pointing PyCharm to your Python distribution. Consult your Python distribution, or search for python.exe in the file explorer. In this case, we see the location of python 3.7. You will not be able to execute Python without first installing a distribution on Windows.

    Plug-ins and settings can be changed in the settings menu (File >> Settings).

  4. Create a Project and Start Writing Python
    When a new project is created, PyCharm will populate the virtual environment, which may take a moment. After the project is created, add a new Python file from a folder’s context menu.
  5. Install Plugins from an Open Project
    Additional plugins may be installed globally from any project. From an open project, open “Settings” from the File menu (or press Control + Alt + S ). Select “Plugins” from the settings hierarchy on the left, and search for plugins by name. To see third-party plugins, click “Search in Repositories.” Plugins developed by IntelliJ are shown separately from those developed by third parties.

    Finally, click “Install.” Menu items and context menus will be automatically updated with commands for your new plugin. Mac os x 10.10.0 download.

  6. Install Python Modules
    Python modules may be installed via the built-in terminal using pip, or from project settings, which runs pip behind the scenes. The package browser allows developers to read about packages before installation, and select from the available versions.

    Note: Windows users will need to explicitly allow PyCharm to access the internet, so that modules which access data can traverse the firewall.

Setting up PyCharm on MacOS

In this example, we’ll install PyCharm on MacOS (High Sierra). Remember to install a Python distribution. PyCharm will automatically look for local installations of Python.

  1. Download PyCharm
    Open Safari or your browser of choice, and head to the Pycharm download section, which will detect your OS.
  2. Begin Installation
    Once the PyCharm installation files has been downloaded, run the program and follow the instructions. Drag the program into applications, and verify the installation as requested. Select color scheme according to preference. The color scheme may be changed at any time from the “Preferences” menu.
  3. Install Featured Plugins During Setup
    Some useful plugins are offered during installation. Of these, most users should install Markdown and Bash support. Markdown will allow previewing documentation for Python projects. Vim Keybindings are only helpful for those coming from Vim, while R language is a non-Python language useful in Data Science. These can be installed at any time from “Preferences.”
  4. Create a Project and Start Writing Code
    Because MacOS ships with Python, PyCharm does not explicitly require pointing to the Python distribution. However, changing distributions will require some configuration. This is shown in the settings dialog under project >> interpreter.When starting a new project, Pycharm offers the default system environment, or the option to create a Virtual Environment (VENV) specific to the project, which will refer to the local Python installation. MacOS is distributed with Python 2.7, but 3.7 is the latest supported version of Python.

    Finally, a new project is created. A fresh python file may be created from the file menu, or by adding a file from a folder’s context menu in the project view.

  5. Install Plugins from an Open Project
    Additional plugins may be installed globally from any project. From an open project, open “Preferences” from the PyCharm menu (or press ⌘ + , ). Select “Plugins” from the settings hierarchy on the left, and search for plugins by name. To see third-party plugins, click “Search in Repositories.” Plugins developed by IntelliJ are shown separately from those developed by third parties.

    Virtual ti 83 calculator for mac. Finally, click “Install.” Menu items and context menus will be automatically updated with commands for your new plugin.

  6. Install Python Modules
    Python modules may be installed via the built-in terminal using pip, or from project settings, which runs pip behind the scenes. The package browser allows developers to read about packages before installation, and to select from the available package versions.

Going Forward

PyCharm is rapidly becoming the de facto IDE for developers who need to focus on business productivity or advanced learning in Python, and spend less time writing print statements to debug their code. Easy to install on both Windows and MacOS via the Java runtime, PyCharm is a powerful tool for creating value with the Python language and community.

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