Komodo Edit and Notepad++ ::: Pros & Cons ::: Python dev

I'm using Notepad++ for python development, and few days ago I found out about free Komodo Edit.

I need Pros and Cons for Python development between this two editors...

From stackoverflow

• As far as I know , Notepad++ doesn't show you the docstring each method has .

• Downloaded both myself. Like Komodo better.

  Komodo Pros: Like it better. Does more. Looks like an IDE. Edits Django templates

  Notepad++ Cons: Don't like it as much. Does less. Looks less like and IDE.

  Kugel : +1 I laughed for a while

• I have worked a bit with Python programming for Google App Engine, which I started out in Notepad++ and then recently shifted over to Komodo using two excellent startup tutorials - both of which are conveniently linked from this blog post (direct: here and here).

  • Komodo supports the basic organization of your work into Projects, which Notepad++ does not (apart from physical folder organization).
  • The custom commands toolbar is useful to keep track of numerous frequently-used commands and even link to URLs (like online documentation and the like).
  • It has a working (if sometimes clunky) code-completion mechanism.

  In short, it's an IDE which provides all the benefits thereof.

  Notepad++ is simpler, much MUCH faster to load, and does support some basic configurable run commands; it's a fine choice if you like doing all your execution and debugging right in the commandline or Python shell. My advice is to try both!

  Kugel : 404 at the link

  Skeolan : thanks, fixed dead URL and added direct links!

• I haven't used Komodo yet (the download never quite finished on the slow connection I was on at the time), but I use Eclipse with PyDev regularly and enjoy the "IDE" features described by the other respondents. However, I'm also regularly frustrated by how much of a resource hog it is.

  I downloaded Notepad++ recently (much smaller download size ;-) ) and have been enjoying it quite a bit. The editor itself is nice and fast and it looks to be extensible. I'm hoping to copy some of my favorite features from IDE into Notepad++ and migrate, at some distant point in the future.

• I just downloaded and started using Komodo Edit. I've been using Notepad++ for awhile. Here is what I think about some of the features:

  Komodo Edit Pros:

  • You can jump to a function definition, even if it's in another file (I love this)
  • There is a plugin that displays the list of classes, functions and such for the current file on the side. Notepad++ used to have a plugin like this, but it no longer works with the current version and hasn't been updated in a while.

  Notepad++ Pros:

  • If you select a word, it will highlight all of that word (Makes it easier to find misspellings)
  • When working with HTML, when the cursor is on/in a tag, the starting and ending tags are both highlighted

  Anyone know if either of those last 2 things is possible in Komodo Edit?

  glenn jackman : I'm not sure I understand your first point. In Komodo, hit Ctrl+F on the current word to search for it. That process will hightlight all matches in the file. Hit Esc to undo the highlighting.

  Edwin : selecting a word is more handy then ctrl + F and type the word, right?

• A downside I found of Notepad++ for Python is that it tends (for me) to silently mix tabs and spaces. I know this is configurable, but it caught me out, especially when trying to work with other people using different editors / IDE's, so take care.

• I use Komodo edit. The main reasons are: Intellisense (not as good as VisualStudio, but Python's a hard language to do intellisense for) and cross-platform compatibility. It's nice being able to use the same editor on my Windows machine, my linux machine, and my macbook with little to no change in feel.

  Jweede : Komodo is truly cross-platform. Keeping the same look and feel no matter where you are. I love that.

• If I had to choose between Notepad++ and Komodo i would choose PyScripter ;.) Seriously I consider PyScripter as a great alternative...

  bahodir : too bad it's windows-only

• I use both Komodo Edit and Notepad++.

  Notepad++ is a lot quicker to launch and it's more lightweight, so I often use it for quick one-off editing.

  I use Komodo Edit for major projects, like my django and wxPython applications. KE is a full-featured IDE, so it has a lot more features.

  Main advantages of Komodo Edit for programming Python:

  • Manage groups of files as projects
  • Use custom commands to run files, run nosetests/pylint, etc.
  • Auto complete & syntax checking
  • Mozilla extension system, with several useful extensions available
  • Write macros in JavaScript or Python
  • Spell checking

  Some of the little things that Notepad++ is missing for Python development:

  • Doesn't auto-indent after a colon
  • You can't set tabs/spaces on a file-type basis (I like to use tabs for HTML)
  • No code completion or tooltips
  • No on-the-fly syntax checking