Lesson 2
The Basic Elements
Chapter 3: Running Python
Using IDEs
You can also run Python codes using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). IDEs tend to contain many useful tools to make your development easier, if you know how to use them well! Examples of IDEs include VSCode and PyCharm.
Having said that, I would like you to NOT use IDEs for the time being, at least not until you have finished the “Core” lessons.
I would like you to do things the hard way first. That is, type your code in a text editor, and then run your code on using command line with python script.py.
Concentrate on and understand the basics first, and not let yourself be distracted by the bells and whistles of IDEs that you might not even know how to use.
It is just too often that students become slaves to their IDEs, and when something goes wrong, they do not even understand what is going on. What’s worse, they are also not able to function without their IDEs.
I would prefer you to really understand what goes on behind the scenes and how things fit together first. You will appreciate what IDEs can do for you better this way when you finally start using it. This will allow IDEs to empower you. IDEs should be there to serve you, not the other way around!
You can write and manage Python code easily even without IDEs! I do not even use an IDE myself!
For now, you may use VSCode as a text editor if you really want to. Technically VSCode is more of an advanced code editor than an IDE, and that’s already more than you’ll need! Once you’ve completed the “Core” lessons, then you can start really using all the features provided in VSCode.