Question

where can i download a python editor for free? i use matlab and it uses an editor and i got that through my school

Answer 1

Hi!
You can try Komodo edit which is pretty good.
http://www.activestate.com/komodo-edit
Or Boa-constructor
http://boa-constructor.sourceforge.net/
Or geany
http://www.geany.org/

For some basic scripting I would recommend Komodo edit.

Answer 2

Komodo does seem to be a pretty good editor, but it is not free, they just do a free crippled version that has a home page trying to get you into the whole activestate thing and it always took forever to actually open on the Windows XP machine I put it on. I use Linux, so I've got about 20 free editors to pick from. I didn't really like Komodo, but it did work nicely once it finally fired up.

What OS are you using crestideac?

Answer 3

You can always dual-boot Ubuntu or something, then you get a free editor and a free OS full of hackability.

Answer 4

whats this about dual-boot ubuntu? i have a mac could i use it with my mac?

Answer 5

There are dozens of free editors for Windows as well.

http://notepad-plus-plus.org/
http://www.jedit.org/

Among others. These aren't specifically for Python, though IDLE, which comes with Python, has both an editor and integrates much like the Matlab editor does with Matlab.

Answer 6

Ah, you're on a Mac. I'm not sure if you'd really want to dual-boot Linux. Macs are pretty good as it is. There must be some quality eds for Mac, I just can't recommend one. Have you looked at IPython? It might be of some interest to you if you're using matlab. It's a really cool bit of kit in general. I use it everyday.

Answer 7

There's a GUI version of emacs for Mac. It's a pretty geeky editor, but you seem like a pretty geeky guy :)

Answer 8

Ummm, just download IDLE since that is the free editor provided for python it would seem to fit your requirements.

Answer 9

Doesn't Mac come with an editor anyway? What on earth are you guys paying for?

Answer 10

Did you find what you were looking for crstrideac? I wondered how you got on. I thought Apple would provide a decent editor. I know Microsoft only offer Notepad, but then, they think Paint is doing it for graphics. I just thought Apple would do something for the premium.

Answer 11

Many Mac users pay for TextMate, because it fits very well into the flow of things. Myself, I use MacVim on mac. But it's got a hell of a learning curve.

Answer 12

Idle does a decent job but if you're going to be programming over the long term? Have you learned http://macvim.org/OSX/index.php? Nice b/c it is quite powerful and has context sensitivity for the various programming languages including Python.

Answer 13

PS: Shadowfiend is quite right about the learning curve. Just do the included tutorial and, in a few days, you'll be glad you did.

Answer 14

I think it's just a matter of looking through the options then. It seems like you have to get a bit technical or pay for some GUIness. It'd probably be nice to have both available.