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bpython VS IDLE

Compare bpython VS IDLE and see what are their differences

bpython logo bpython

bpython is a fancy interface to the Python interpreter for Unix-like operating systems (I hear it...

IDLE logo IDLE

Default IDE which come installed with the Python programming language.
  • bpython Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-08-03
  • IDLE Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-19

bpython features and specs

  • Autocomplete Feature
    bpython offers an intelligent autocomplete feature that predicts and suggests completions for code, which can speed up development by reducing the amount of typing needed.
  • Syntax Highlighting
    This interpreter provides syntax highlighting, making it easier for developers to read and understand code by color-coding different elements such as keywords, strings, and variables.
  • Integrated Documentation
    bpython allows users to easily access Python documentation directly from the interpreter, which helps to quickly reference function signatures and documentation without leaving the environment.
  • Replay Functionality
    Users can replay their session to see what commands were run, helping to keep track of changes made during coding sessions, making debugging and learning from past sessions much easier.
  • Friendly User Interface
    bpython provides an enhanced console interface that is more user-friendly compared to the standard Python interpreter, with features like in-line syntax highlighting and color-coded warnings and errors.

Possible disadvantages of bpython

  • Limited Support for Advanced Features
    It might not support some of the advanced features and libraries that other more complex environments (like Jupyter or full IDEs) might provide, potentially limiting its use for more advanced programming tasks.
  • Performance Overhead
    The additional features like syntax highlighting and autocomplete can introduce some performance overhead, which might not be desirable for users who prefer a fast, minimalistic environment.
  • Dependency Management
    Since bpython runs within a terminal environment, managing dependencies can sometimes be cumbersome, especially when working with projects that require specific environments or packages.
  • Learning Curve for New Users
    While offering many useful features, new Python users might initially find the interface overwhelming or confusing compared to the traditional Python interpreter.
  • Stability Issues
    Some users might experience occasional stability issues or unexpected behavior when using bpython, particularly when experimenting with more complex Python code or environments.

IDLE features and specs

  • Integrated Development Environment
    IDLE is a simple and lightweight Integrated Development Environment designed specifically for Python. It comes with features like syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and an interactive shell which helps beginners learn programming more efficiently.
  • Cross-Platform
    IDLE is available on multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. This cross-platform support allows programmers to write, debug, and run Python code on different operating systems seamlessly.
  • Bundled with Python
    IDLE comes pre-installed with the standard Python distribution, making it easy for beginners to start coding immediately without needing to install additional software.
  • Interactive Shell
    IDLE provides an interactive shell with syntax highlighting that makes it easier for developers to test small code snippets and see immediate results.
  • Debugger Tools
    IDLE includes basic debugging tools such as breakpoints and stepping to help developers find and fix errors in their code.

Possible disadvantages of IDLE

  • Limited Features
    Compared to more advanced IDEs like PyCharm or VSCode, IDLE has limited features. It lacks advanced functionalities such as sophisticated code refactoring tools, integrated version control, and extensive plug-in support.
  • Performance Issues
    IDLE can become slow and unresponsive with larger projects or extensive use, which can be a hindrance when working on more complex applications.
  • Basic User Interface
    The user interface of IDLE is quite basic and may not be appealing to developers who are accustomed to working with more modern and feature-rich UIs.
  • Limited Customization
    IDLE offers limited options for customization compared to other IDEs. Developers who prefer to tailor their development environment to their preferences might find IDLE restrictive.
  • Not Suitable for Advanced Development
    IDLE is not well-suited for large-scale software development or projects requiring advanced tools and integrations. For professional-grade projects, developers might find IDLE insufficient.

bpython videos

Bpython - alternative interactive python interpreter

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IDLE videos

Why Is This Idle Game SO FUN? | Good Cheap Games: Idle Champions

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to bpython and IDLE)
Python IDE
32 32%
68% 68
Text Editors
21 21%
79% 79
IDE
22 22%
78% 78
Data Science IDE
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, bpython seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 7 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

bpython mentions (7)

  • What dev tools do you use in your python projects?
    Yeah, also it's worth to mention bpython. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Release of IPython 8.0
    Yeah, mostly I lack time to catch up with Jonathan Slenders works, and have stronger backward compatibility requirements. b=But ptpython and pyipython are both great. I should also look into Rich and Textual https://bpython-interpreter.org/ is also another alternative python shell, and of course https://xon.sh. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • Need help setting up python on arch linux
    Python comes with IDLE as /usr/bin/idle but it doesn't have a corresponding .desktop file that would let it appear in the application menu. Otherwise, /usr/bin/python has an interactive mode and bpython is a wrapper around that interactive mode that has like syntax highlighting, indenting, undo, etc. Source: over 3 years ago
  • PyCharm console
    Someone posted bpython which I'm pretty ecstatic about but always good to know options. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • PyCharm console
    Someone else posted this - bpython - which is what I was looking for. Source: almost 4 years ago
View more

IDLE mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of IDLE yet. Tracking of IDLE recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing bpython and IDLE, you can also consider the following products

iPython - iPython provides a rich toolkit to help you make the most out of using Python interactively.

PyCharm - Python & Django IDE with intelligent code completion, on-the-fly error checking, quick-fixes, and much more...

ptpython - a better Python REPL

Thonny - Python IDE for beginners

Jupyter - Project Jupyter exists to develop open-source software, open-standards, and services for interactive computing across dozens of programming languages. Ready to get started? Try it in your browser Install the Notebook.

Spyder - The Scientific Python Development Environment