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Thonny VS PyDev

Compare Thonny VS PyDev and see what are their differences

Thonny logo Thonny

Python IDE for beginners

PyDev logo PyDev

PyDev is a third-party plug-in for Eclipse.
  • Thonny Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-15
  • PyDev Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-11

Thonny features and specs

  • Beginner-Friendly Interface
    Thonny is designed with simplicity in mind, which makes it ideal for beginners. The interface is clean and intuitive, helping new users to focus on learning Python without being overwhelmed by unnecessary features.
  • Integrated Python Debugger
    Thonny comes with a built-in debugger that allows users to step through their code line by line. This feature helps in understanding the flow of the program and is especially useful for debugging and learning.
  • Simple Variable Inspector
    The variable inspector in Thonny provides a clear and straightforward view of variables and their values, helping users to better understand how data changes as the program runs.
  • Preinstalled with Python
    Thonny comes with Python preinstalled, which makes the setup process easier for beginners. Users don’t have to worry about separate Python installation and can start coding right away.
  • Support for MicroPython
    Thonny supports MicroPython, making it a suitable choice for programming microcontrollers and embedded systems. This expands its usability beyond just desktop applications.
  • Educational Focus
    Thonny includes features specifically designed for educational purposes, such as highlighting syntax errors and visualizing code execution, which helps students grasp programming concepts more effectively.

Possible disadvantages of Thonny

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While Thonny is great for beginners, it lacks some advanced features found in other IDEs like PyCharm or Visual Studio Code. This may hinder users as they advance and need more complex workflows and customizations.
  • Performance Issues with Large Projects
    Thonny may not perform efficiently with large-scale projects or extremely large files, potentially causing lag or crashes, which could be a limitation for more extensive development work.
  • Plugin Ecosystem
    Thonny's plugin ecosystem is not as robust as some other IDEs. Users might find fewer extensions and customizations available, which can limit its functionality for certain workflows.
  • Limited Language Support
    Thonny is designed primarily for Python and lacks support for other programming languages. This makes it less flexible for developers who work with multiple languages.
  • Basic Editor Features
    Essential features such as intelligent code completion, refactoring tools, and version control integration are present but not as sophisticated as in more professional IDEs, which could limit productivity for seasoned developers.
  • Less Frequent Updates
    Compared to more popular and commercially-backed IDEs, Thonny receives less frequent updates. This could mean slower adoption of new Python features and slower fixes for bugs.

PyDev features and specs

  • Integration with Eclipse
    PyDev is a plugin for Eclipse, allowing developers who are already familiar with Eclipse to easily integrate Python development into their existing workflows.
  • Advanced Debugging
    PyDev provides strong debugging capabilities, including remote debugging, making it easier to identify and fix issues in Python code.
  • Refactoring Tools
    PyDev offers various refactoring tools which help to reorganize and restructure code more efficiently, maintaining code quality and manageability.
  • Linting and Code Analysis
    PyDev includes built-in linting and static code analysis tools to help developers optimize code quality and adherence to coding standards.
  • Auto Completion and Syntax Highlighting
    PyDev provides rich features for auto completion and syntax highlighting, enhancing code readability and productivity.

Possible disadvantages of PyDev

  • Heavy System Resource Usage
    As part of the Eclipse IDE, PyDev may require significant system resources, which can impact performance on less powerful machines.
  • Complex Setup
    The initial setup and configuration of Eclipse and PyDev can be complex and time-consuming, potentially daunting for beginners.
  • Limited Support for Non-Python Languages
    While PyDev is excellent for Python development, its support for other languages is limited, unlike standalone multi-language IDEs.
  • Learning Curve
    For those unfamiliar with Eclipse, there may be a steep learning curve associated with using PyDev, as it entails understanding both Eclipse and its plugin dynamics.
  • Frequency of Updates
    The frequency and speed of updates to PyDev might lag behind standalone Python IDEs, potentially limiting access to the latest Python features.

Analysis of Thonny

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Thonny is highly regarded as a good choice for beginner programmers, particularly those starting with Python. It effectively balances simplicity and functionality, making it an excellent tool for educational purposes.

Why this product is good

  • Thonny is a beginner-friendly Python IDE designed to make programming more accessible and understandable for newcomers. It offers an intuitive interface, a simple debugger, and features like variable tracing and expression evaluation that are particularly helpful for beginners. Its design minimizes distractions and helps in focusing on learning the basics of programming without being overwhelmed by complex features.

Recommended for

  • Beginners learning Python.
  • Educational environments and coding classrooms.
  • Users who prefer a simple and clean interface without extra complexity.
  • Those interested in a straightforward setup to start coding quickly.

Thonny videos

Thonny - a Python IDE for beginners

More videos:

  • Review - Step Through Python Scripts With Thonny
  • Review - Introducing Thonny

PyDev videos

No PyDev videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Thonny and PyDev)
Text Editors
83 83%
17% 17
IDE
86 86%
14% 14
Python IDE
84 84%
16% 16
Development
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Thonny and PyDev

Thonny Reviews

  1. steve
    · retired ·
    I like Thonny

    I started an on-line python course that used Pycharm as its basis. I had previously used Thonny to look at code for various programs. I found Pycharm to be over-featured for a beginner like me. Thonny seems much more on my level so I am continuing the course using it instead. And successfully I might add.

PyDev Reviews

We have no reviews of PyDev yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Thonny seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 111 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.

Thonny mentions (111)

  • Essential Software for Hardware Hackers: Your First IDE & Tools
    Raspberry Pi Pico (MicroPython): The Thonny IDE is highly recommended and often pre-installed in Raspberry Pi OS. - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • Antirez/load81: SDL based Lua programming environment for kids similar to Codea
    The nice thing about Python is that because it's so pervasive as a teaching language, there are many tools for it that specifically cater to this niche. In particular, https://thonny.org is very nice for explaining basic programming concepts like expression evaluation and function calls. And yeah, turtle graphics is the time-honored method of teaching things like loops, recursion, and parametrization via functions... - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • Python: From Beginners to Pro in 30 Mins (Part 1)
    Thonny or IDLE are great starting points for beginners due to their simplicity. As you become more comfortable, VS Code or PyCharm Community Edition offers more features to help you develop your skills. - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • FeedMyFurBabies – Send and Receive MQTT messages between AWS IoT Core and your micro-controller
    Install Thonny and run it. Then go to Tools -> Options, to configure the ESP32C3 device in Thonny to match the settings shown in the screenshot below. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Raspberry Pico Badger: Hardware Features and OS
    The recommended way to programm MicroPython on the Raspberry Pico is to use the Thonny IDE. Accessing the Badger with reveals the following file structure:. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
View more

PyDev mentions (0)

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

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