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

Question

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...

Solution 1

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!

Solution 2

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 those words in the current document (makes it easier to find misspellings), without having to hit Ctrl+F.
• 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?

Solution 3

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.

Solution 4

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

Solution 5

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

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Comments

[Kugel]

+1 I laughed for a while

[Skeolan]

thanks, fixed dead URL and added direct links!

[Edwin Yip]

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

[yurisich]

So, if I'm understanding this correctly...if something isn't as good as something else, then the other thing is better. Mind. Blown. +1 :D

[user1066101]

@Droogans: Nope. Not understanding it correctly. If something isn't as good as something else, it simply isn't as good. Don't read things into the answer that aren't there. The question was vague; the answer is precisely as vague as the question.

[maliayas]

Np++ has that two Komodo pros: TagsJump plugin allows to jump to a definition even it is in another file. Function list can list definitions in the current file for many programing languages.

[Cees Timmerman]

Notepad++ has a plugin menu from which you can add a spell checker and other tools. I use the NppExec plugin with scripts to process and run my Python files, whose output is highlighted and linked in Notepad++..

[Cees Timmerman]

Ctrl+H, find ____ replace \t, find __ replace \t, works for me, except when somebody used 3-space indents. (replace _ with a space)

[Cees Timmerman]

Function parameter hints do, but not all functions are in C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++\plugins\APIs\python.xml