Question

Just started the course. Looks pretty good. What IDE are you using? Thinking of Eclipse as this will also work with Java... What do you think?

Answer 1

I've been taking this course through edX, but I assume that the IDE is the same for both. I just use the Python built in IDE called Idle which should have been installed with the Python package. It's nothing much, but it has syntax highlighting and a shell, which is just about all I need.
Of course, Eclipse will work perfectly well too with the Python add-on, but it's a bit overkill and personally I think it's interface is too cluttered and complicated. If you really want a cross-language IDE then I recommend that you check out Notepad++ if you are running Windows ( http://notepad-plus-plus.org/).
Let me know if you have anymore questions!

Answer 2

To add some supplemental info to that from @jgoldsmith, you might also look at Pyscripter, http://code.google.com/p/pyscripter/

Answer 3

For Java, the best free options would be Eclipse and Netbeans. If you are starting right now, I think Netbeans would fit you better due it have more simple thinks already well integrated, as opposition to Eclipse that require know many plugins that you will have to install and having trouble with their changes and etc.

Answer 4

You can also use Ninja or BoaConstructors IDE .

Answer 5

I'm using Eclipse for some stuff and Python Idle for others

Answer 6

For someone starting out, I wouldn't worry about using an IDE. As long as your favorite editor can produce plain text, it and a shell/command prompt will be fine.

IDE's are very versatile, and appropriately complicated. Learning a programming language and learning programming concepts at the same time is enough, you don't need to also be learning some overkill piece of software.

Answer 7

I would go with rsmith6559's suggestion... IDE's usually hide a lot of details about the project structure, which is helpful when you are working on a large project and need to gt things done rather quickly. However, if you are starting to learn a new language, it is much better to use no IDE at all and really get a grip on the internals and details of the project setup...

Answer 8

i don't really think notepad is such a good idea as an editor. it's just what it is, a NOTEPAD! IDLE is fine and you can do all that is needed there. notepad is only useful for HTML and maybe other languages but not python.

Answer 9

I used to work with Eclipse Helios for my Java lessons and it was Great !

Answer 10

I think JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA ist good for Java development, it's fast and with powerfull refactoring tools