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What is PyCharm?

PyCharm is a widely used IDE or integrated development environment for Python, which can run on Windows, Linux, or macOS. This cross-platform, application, combined with its being open-source, has caused PyCharm to be one of the fastest-growing IDEs since its development in 2010. PyCharm comes in two flavors: community edition or professional. 

What is an IDE?

IDE stands for an Integrated Development Environment An IDE is a single solution for used in developing in your preferred coding language. It includes everything that is needed to build, develop and debug your code from start to finish. This application allows programmers to do most, if not all, of their development within a single application to expedite the development process and avoid issues using multiple software titles may cause. 

What is Python?

Python is a cross-platform open-source programming language used by various applications and websites due to its popularity and excellent performance. Since Python is both cross-platform and open-source, we can develop our code without any additional cost or duplicate work if targeting multiple OS's. A few examples of applications that use Python would be Pinterest and Instagram. 

Why Should I Use an IDE Like PyCharm?

Developers can code without using an IDE like PyCharm. All that is truly needed is an application like notepad++, Geany or TextPad. The downside of using a non-IDE based application is, the extra effort required to remember multiple functionalities of each language, the decrease in effectiveness, and the lack of debugging capabilities can become an issue.  

Here are just a few of the benefits you get from an IDE like PyCharm: 

  • Better overall project management tools
  • Increased standards enforcement that may be company or project specific
  • Improved resource organization, and addition of shortcuts that reduce effort and time spent on code
  • Auto-code generation
  • Code autocompletion capabilities
  • Refraction functionality
  • Compile and Build along with organic unit testing
  • Integrated debugging tools
  • Improved source control

Prerequisites

  • 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows 8 or 10
  • Minimum of 2 GB RAM, with 8 GB RAM recommended
  • A minimum of 2.5 GB SSD hard drive space (SSD is recommended)
  • A minimal screen resolution of 1024x768
  • A version of Python 2.7+, or Python 3.5+

How Do I Install PyCharm?

Step 1.

Download PyCharm from the JetBrains website. You will have the option of using the Professional version or the Community version. This guide installs the Community edition. Note: It is also a good idea to confirm that Python is installed. 

DownloadPycharm1

Step 2.

After running the installer, select the installation location. The most common location is in our Program Files directory, but this can be changed to an alternative location if needed, but this is usually unnecessary. 

install.pycharm1

Step 3.

Next, we will be prompted to select our installation options. These include the option to add a desktop shortcut, updating your path to include PyCharm launcher along with any associating file types, and a context menu. You can see below the choices I have selected for my installation. Feel free to choose what is best for your development style. 

install.pycharm2

Step 4.

The next step is to choose your start menu folder location, for a quick reference from your desktop start page. 

install.pycharm3

Step 5.

Now, we wait for PyCharm to install. If you wish to see additional details of the installation, you can select show details. 

install.pycharm4

Step 6.

Finally, reboot the computer at the end of the PyCharm installation process.

install.pycharm5

How Do I Configure PyCharm?

Step 1.

When we open PyCharm the first time, we will initially be prompted with featured plugins we can download to emulate a Vim editor, R language support, or an AWS Toolkit. A more detailed plugin list is available in settings. Feel free to install and enable the ones that best suit your needs. The image below and most likely, your screen will only show the featured plugins, but you can find more in your settings - External tools - packages. 

configure.pycharm1

Step 2.

From the main screen, we can create a new project, open an existing one, or select one from our versioning control system of choice, like GIT. We can also see the configuration options in the bottom right corner, and ask for help which can be useful in moving forward.

configure.pycharm2

Step 3.

When creating a new project, we will be asked a few questions like where would we like to place our project folder and any related files which need to be saved. Or, whether we would like a main.py created by default, and other Python interpreter options unique to our environment. 

configure.pycharm3
Note:
If you did not install Python before installing PyCharm, you will get a warning like this when creating a project like the one listed above.

Conclusion

PyCharm is an easy to install and configure Python IDE that provides the settings you would like available with free and paid versions depending on your use case and background in Python. IDE stands for an integrated development environment, a single solution for developing in your preferred code as it includes everything you need to get started.

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Avatar for Dominic Nixon

About the Author: Dominic Nixon

Dominic is a Solution Architect for Liquid Web. As a Solutions Architect, he uses his past experiences and expertise to help clients make core architectural changes to their hosting to achieve their long-term planning and business goals. He has a Bachelor's degree in Cyber Security, and in his free time, he loves being outdoors or chilling with his dog, Ella.

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