1. Home
  2. Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Software
  3. Python IDLE Reviews
  4. User Review of Python IDLE
Not for the advanced user
December 31, 2020

Not for the advanced user

Mohammad Mahmud | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Python IDLE

Python IDLE is used by some people as the IDE for python interpreter in a Windows environment. We don't use it department wide, as it has only basic functionalities in my opinion. Python IDLE is used mainly for writing simple scripts, which are used mainly for text processing and data cleanup purposes.
  • GUI interface
  • Has scope matching
  • Debugging facilities can be integrated
  • Too simplistic
  • Could not find source revision management integration support
  • Only basic debugging is available
  • Does not have data-science-specific notebooks (but can be installed separately)
  • Already comes along with the Python Interpreter in Windows, so no need to install any additional plug-ins. This is positive.
  • Relatively intuitive with a flat learning curve. This is positive.
  • Not too suitable for large program maintenance. This is negative.
Python IDLE is very easy to use compared to PyCharm. So for simple python scripting, Python IDLE is preferable to PyCharm, which has relatively steep learning curve. Compared to Python IDLE, PyCharm is more resource intensive, which may be worth it when comes to large projects, but PyChram does not provide any extra value for simple scripting.

Do you think Python IDLE delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Python IDLE's feature set?

No

Did Python IDLE live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Python IDLE go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Python IDLE again?

Yes

  1. Python IDLE comes built-in if Python is installed in the Windows operating system. In this regard, it is already there and does not require downloading and installing any additional IDE. However, the functionalities are rather basic compared to more advanced IDEs like PyCharm. So I was using this IDLE initially when I was getting myself familiar with Python.
  2. I do not use Python IDLE for data science projects, as I find that it lacks some crucial features that are more geared toward the intermediate or advanced level of programmers.