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I've always kind of wondered what IDLE is good for, seeing as how I've already got a perfectly good command line to run python from.

analog31 12y ago
Python is my main language at this point. One of my uses is writing test scripts that may end up running on several computers that are both on- and off-network. So I walk up to a computer, install Python, maybe one or two modules, my program, hook up some hardware, and off we go. At my workplace, this is presently around a dozen computers. There's a chance that I will need an editor: If a program crashes, needs to be changed, or I want to show somebody how to modify it themselves. Having something built-in with the nice colors, indents, and syntax checking, the same on every PC, is just plain handy. Otherwise, it wouldn't kill me to add a code editor to my collection of installers that I carry in my pocket, but it would be one more thing. So I like the idea of a built in editor.
pwnna 12y ago
For beginners to learn. I started on it as it's super easy to run and debug on windows, which doesn't have a good terminal.
recursive 12y ago
For Windows, it's easier to start IDLE than it is to start python from a command line, and the editor is better. It's still terrible, but at least it's better.
- Amezarak 12y ago
  > For Windows, it's easier to start IDLE than it is to start python from a command line, and the editor is better. It's still terrible, but at least it's better. I am pretty sure the Windows Python installer adds Python to your path. On my system, at any rate, starting Python on the command line consists of typing "python" and pressing enter. How can it get any easier? That said, starting IDLE is easier, because hitting Winkey + py + enter opens IDLE whereas there's the extra step of opening the terminal if I want to use it on the command line.
Igglyboo 12y ago
Windows has such piss poor command line support that it's the only reasonable way to use a python REPL. Outside of Windows I don't think it really has much of a use. Personally I'd choose iPython notebooks over IDLE on any platform but IDLE comes with python by default so it's easier in some situations like teaching a class.
Nimi 12y ago
My answer: I have a cursor I can move to previous lines, copy-paste like I do in a code editor, and generally move around like I would in a code editor. My take is kind of the opposite: I don't believe we don't have these capabilities in other command lines.

analog31 12y ago

Python is my main language at this point. One of my uses is writing test scripts that may end up running on several computers that are both on- and off-network. So I walk up to a computer, install Python, maybe one or two modules, my program, hook up some hardware, and off we go. At my workplace, this is presently around a dozen computers. There's a chance that I will need an editor: If a program crashes, needs to be changed, or I want to show somebody how to modify it themselves. Having something built-in with the nice colors, indents, and syntax checking, the same on every PC, is just plain handy. Otherwise, it wouldn't kill me to add a code editor to my collection of installers that I carry in my pocket, but it would be one more thing. So I like the idea of a built in editor.

pwnna 12y ago

For beginners to learn. I started on it as it's super easy to run and debug on windows, which doesn't have a good terminal.

recursive 12y ago

For Windows, it's easier to start IDLE than it is to start python from a command line, and the editor is better. It's still terrible, but at least it's better.

Amezarak 12y ago
> For Windows, it's easier to start IDLE than it is to start python from a command line, and the editor is better. It's still terrible, but at least it's better. I am pretty sure the Windows Python installer adds Python to your path. On my system, at any rate, starting Python on the command line consists of typing "python" and pressing enter. How can it get any easier? That said, starting IDLE is easier, because hitting Winkey + py + enter opens IDLE whereas there's the extra step of opening the terminal if I want to use it on the command line.

Igglyboo 12y ago

Windows has such piss poor command line support that it's the only reasonable way to use a python REPL. Outside of Windows I don't think it really has much of a use. Personally I'd choose iPython notebooks over IDLE on any platform but IDLE comes with python by default so it's easier in some situations like teaching a class.

Nimi 12y ago

My answer: I have a cursor I can move to previous lines, copy-paste like I do in a code editor, and generally move around like I would in a code editor. My take is kind of the opposite: I don't believe we don't have these capabilities in other command lines.