[hemmerling] Python 8/10 - IDEs & GUI Designers

IDEs & IDE Plugins

The Eric Python IDE

The OpenSource IDE The Eric Python IDE for Python makes use of Python, QT, PyQt, QScintilla.

IDLE

The openSource IDE “IDLE (Python GUI)”, shipped with the Python development system.
- It may be called by:
  - C:\Program Files\Python 2.7\pythonw.exe” “C:\Program Files\Python 2.7\Lib\idlelib\idle.pyw” -e ”%1”
- Call on my computer, with modified path:
  - D:\int\w32\develop\Python2\pythonw.exe” “D:\int\w32\develop\Python2\Lib\idlelib\idle.pyw” -e ”%1”
- Look for “Python.File” with RegEdit for fixing the definition!

IPython

IPython.
- Wiki IPython Wiki.
- EN.Wikipedia "IPython".

Eclipse

Eclipse
1. “Eclipse” with “Dynamic Languages Toolkit” ( DLTK ) - See Software Development Tools.
  - Eclipse for PHP Developers is shipped with DLTK .
2. PyDev, Sourceforge "Pydev", Sourceforge "Pydev", Github "aptana / Pydev" - “A Python IDE for Eclipse, which may be used in Python, Jython and IronPython development”, “PyDev is now preinstalled in Aptana Studio 3”.
  - PyDev "Configuring the interpreter".
  - “Aptana Studio 3 requires Firefox for JavaScript debugging support”.
  - Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology - Computer Science & Software Engineering "How to Configure Eclipse for Python".
    - “Help / Install New Software” ⇒ “Work with http://pydev.org/updates“.

PyDevelop

The OpenSource IDE SourceForge "PyDevelop", SourceForge "PyDevelop" for Windows with .NET 4.0, with support of Python 2.7.

PyScripter

Pythonwin IDE

Pythonwin IDE.
- The OpenSource Pythonwin IDE is shipped with Mark Hammond "Python for Windows Extensions", Sourceforge "Python for Windows extensions", Sourceforge "Python for Windows extensions".
- It may be called by:
  - C:\Program Files\Python 2.7\Lib\site-packages\Pythonwin\Pythonwin.exe /edit ”%1”
- Call on my computer, with modified path:
  - D:\int\w32\develop\Python2\Lib\site-packages\Pythonwin\Pythonwin.exe /edit ”%1”
- Look for “Python.File” with RegEdit for fixing the definition!
- Mark Hammond "Pythonwin Version2 Beta" - outdated infos.
Google Code "spyderlib. Spyder is the Scientific PYthon Development EnviRonment" ( formerly: Google Code "pydee" ) - “A powerful interactive development environment for the Python language with advanced editing, interactive testing, debugging and introspection features”.

SPE IDE - Stani's Python Editor

The DonationWare “SPE IDE - Stani's Python Editor”.

Thonny IDE

Thonny, Python IDE for beginners.
User feedback 2022-01: Good for Micropython development for bare metal embedded boards ( e.g. ESP32 ), on a Linux host.
EN.Wikipedia "Thonny".

Microsoft Visual Studio as Python IDE

Microsoft Visual Studio as Python IDE.
- “Python Tools for Visual Studio 2013”, also for “Microsoft Visual Studio Community 2013.4”.
  - The OpenSource CodePlex "Python Tools for Visual Studio 2013", GitHub.io "Python Tools for Visual Studio", GitHub "Microsoft/PTVS".

Visual Studio Python Express

“Visual Studio Python Express” ( “VS Python Express” ) IDE.
- Components.
  1. The free “Integrated Shell” or the commercial “Microsoft Visual Studio Professional” 2010 / 2012.
  2. The OpenSource plugin Codeplex "Python Tools for Visual Studio".
- Windows Azure "Installing Python and the SDK".
- Scott Hanselman "One of Microsoft's Best-Kept Secrets - Python Tools for Visual Studio (PTVS)".

xRope: A lightweight IDE for Python

The OpenSource IDE SourceForge "xRope: A lightweight IDE for Python", SourceForge "xRope".

GUI Designers

Tkinter Tools

The OpenSource GUI builder SourceForge "PAGE - Python Automatic GUI Generator", SourceForge "PAGE", written in Tcl/TK.
- “A drag-and-drop GUI generator for Python and Tkinter aimed at building Python modules which can display a relatively simple GUI constructed from Tk and ttk widget sets using the Place Geometry Manager”.
- SourceForge "PAGE" - "PAGE 4.4.5 documentation".
The OpenSource GUI builder SourceForge "Python Tk Gui Builder", SourceForge "Python Tk Gui Builder" for Python 2.
- Ptkgb requires PIL ( pktgb.py → “import ImageTK” ).
  - Linux:
    - The Python Imaging Library Handbook "The ImageTk Module" - “If you’re using a prebuilt version of PIL, you might need to install additional packages to be able to use the ImageTk module. For example, on Ubuntu, you need both python-imaging and python-imaging-tk”.
  - Windows:
    - Python Imaging Library (PIL) - “all platforms”, “Windows only”.
- Ptkgb is shipped with SourceForge "Pmw - Python megawidgets", SourceForge "Python megawidgets".
The OpenSource GUI builder GitHub "alejandroautalan/pygubu" - “A simple GUI designer for the python tkinter module”.
- Wiki GitHub Wiki "alejandroautalan/pygubu" with online handbook.
- Facebook "Alejandro Autalan".
- LinkedIn "Alejandro Autalan".
- Google+ "Alejandro Autalan".
- YouTube Channel "Alejandro Autalan".
  - YouTube "Pygubu hello world program".
- After installation, the GUI builder application is available by the
  - “pygubu” shell command ( pygubu 0.94.1 and earlier ).
  - “pygubu-designer” shell command ( since pygubu 0.95 ).
The OpenSource GUI builder GitHub "tmetsch/pytkgen " - “Create Tkinter GUIs from JSON definition files”.
The OpenSource GUI builder Rapyd-Tk for Python 2.7 with Tkinter.
- As of 2014-07-01 with version 1.0.2, the creation of menus does not work for me on Windows.
The OpenSource GUI builders SourceForge "SpecTcl and GUI Builder", SourceForge "SpecTcl" ( formerly: Komodo 3 GUI builder ) by Stephen Uhler.
- “SpecTcl” may generate Python code. In the “*.ui” files, you can select that by the statement “language tkinter 8.4”.
- SpecTcl - GUI Builder (Komodo Pro). Extracted from ActiveState Komodo 3.5 documentation.
- SpecTcl - Tcl Tutorial. Extracted from ActiveState Komodo 3.5 documentation.
- Tclers Wiki "SpecTcl".
- Python.org "Index of /ftp/python/contrib-09-Dec-1999/Graphics/Tkinter/".
- Google Groups "comp.lang.tcl", thread "What happened to spectcl?" - About the SpecTCL manual: “I think the user manual is pretty useless as a memory aid as it does not contain many working examples”.
- There is a compiled binary for Windows. The source code archive “SpecTCL.tar.gz” also contains a folder “examples” just with ”.ui” files, and a folder “demo” with three complete Java applications made with SpecTCL.
- You may select the TK version at start ( TK 8.4, 8.3,..).
- SpcTCL uses the “grid” geometry manager.
- Don't confuse with ~~SpecTcl Home page~~ → This is a different tool .
The free GUI builder SourceForge "tk_happy", SourceForge "tk_happy".
- After installation, the GUI builder application is available by “run_happy” shell command.
- “tk_happy” uses the “place” geometry manager.
- There is no code generation for the functions:
  - “Window options / Main Menu”.
  - “Window options / Resizable”.
- If you activate the the function “Windows Options / Status Bar”, and then deactivate it, the python code 'self.statusMessage.set(“Welcome to codebreaker”)' is kept in the Python source code file and must be disabled - by putting the command in a comment line starting with ”#” - or deleted, manually.
The free GUI builder “Visual Python Tkinter IDE” for Windows with .NET framework.
- Python TR / Pythonium Trade, Archive.org "visualpython.org" ( - 2012-08-01 ).
- There is no version of this application which is operable for practical use .
  - SourceForge "Visual Tkinter. Visual Python GUI Free Python Editor", SourceForge "Visual Tkinter Python IDE" - All properly executable editions of “Visual Python 2”, especially the latest edition ” Visual Python 2v0.12.2554” are not suitable for use, as the mandatory size of GUI elements is not transfered to the generated code . Early editions of version 2, hosted on “Google Code” even crash at startup .
  - Google Code "visualtkinter - Visual Tkinter" - “VisualTkinter 1v1.6.zip” is the a working version of “Visual Python IDE”. Unfortunately, there is no saving of a “design file” with the GUI designer informations. You can just save Python files. I.e. you must finish your GUI design with one strike, you can´t reload a project into the application .
- VP makes use of the OpenSource C++ library Scintilla and of WinForms.
- VP uses the “place” geometry manager.
- Administrative developers:
- Developers:
  - SourceForge "electrocoder".
- People who tried to use the product:

Tkinter Resources

ArcGIS Resources "Python equivalents to AML functions", ArcGIS Resources "Python equivalents to AML directives" → Python & Tkinter example programs.
ActiveState Code - Lists "python-tkinter-discuss".
ConnectX.
- Europython 2014, Poster Session "Session: ConnectX: The Serial Emulator Application" - “Tkinter + Pserial + Plotting = Disaster? Tkinter has its own loop, ence for a dynamically updated GUI , 'root.after()' method was used. 'try-except' method as used to avoid choking of serial comm while initialising”.
- PyCon India 2014 — PyCon India Funnel "ConnectX: The Serial Emulator Application".
DaniWeb "Software Development > Python > Visual Tkinter" #.
Google Code "simplehsm. A Simple Hierarchical State Machine", Google Code "simplehsm" - SVN / Trunk, Daniel Newton "simplehsm" - Python & Tkinter sample application made with SpecTCL #.
Daniweb "Exit a Tkinter GUI Program" - “root.destroy()” vs “root.quit()”.
Google - Search for 'spectcl "DO NOT EDIT" python'.
Stack Overflow.
- Stack Overflow "Initialization just after tkinter's root.mainloop() has begun (Python)" - “root.after(delay, command)”.
- Stack Overflow "multiple tasks on tkinter canvas?".

wx Tools

The OpenSource GUI builder “FarPy” - This “GUIE (GUI Editor) provides a simple WYSIWYG GUI editor for many dynamic languages. Currently FarPy supports wxPython, wxRuby, wxPerl & IronPython!”.
- SourceForge "FarPy GUIE", SourceForge "FarPy GUIE", Python Package Index "FarPy".
- Archive.org "farpy.holev.com" ( - 2012-05-18 ).
OpenSource GUI builder for “wxWidgets” ( formerly: “wxWindows” ) → See Software Frameworks.

QT Tools

Python Frameworks for QT → See Python 9/10 - Modules & Frameworks.
The free “QT Designer” and the “QT Creator” → See Software Frameworks.

Comparison Chart: The Code generated with GUI Designers for Python


#	GUI Designer		The generated code					Comments	Recommendation for use
#	Tool name	Tool platform	GUI Framework	Screen Layout	Is a class	Runtime library	Runtime Library License	Comments	Recommendation for use
1	page	Tcl/Tk	Tkinter	Grid	Yes				Yes #1
2	ptkgb	Python	Tkinter	Grid	Yes	Python megawidgets ( pmw )	MIT		Yes
3	ptkgen	Python	Tkinter	Grid	No	tkgen	GPL 2.1	Consider the runtime license if selecting it for a project	Yes
4	pygubu	Python	Tkinter	Grid	Yes	pygubu	GPL 3	Consider the runtime license if selecting it for a project	Yes
5	QT Creator	Windows, Linux, MacOSX	PyQT	Grid	Yes	PyQT	GPL 2, GPL 3	Consider to use the Pyside module with its LGPL license, if the runtime license doesn't fit for your project	Yes
6	QT Designer	Windows, Linux, MacOSX	PySide	Grid	Yes	PySide	LGPL 2.1		Yes
7	rapyd	Python	Tkinter	Grid	Yes	Run-time error handler “rpErrorHandler.py”	Public domain ?	Menu generation does not yet work	Not yet
8	SpecTCL	Python	Tkinter	Grid	Yes				Yes #1
9	tk_happy	Python	Tkinter	Place	Yes			The single GUI builder which offers the “Place” screen layout	Yes #1 for “place” design
10	Visual Python Tkinter IDE 1v1.6	Windows with .NET	Tkinter	Place	No				No

Tool Resources

Tcler's Wiki "GUI Building Tools".
Stack Overflow "Need a GUI Builder for Tkinter / Python" - With judgements about the code generation and usabilty of the tools.

Commercial IDEs

ActiveState.
- The commercial IDE ActiveState "Komodo IDE" for Windows and Linux - “The Professional IDE for Python, PHP, Ruby, JavaScript, Perl and Web Dev”.
- The free editor ActiveState "Komodo Edit" for Windows and Linux - “A lean editor with a sleek interface. You'll enjoy excellent coding in many web languages, including Python, PHP, Ruby, Perl, HTML, CSS and JavaScript”.
Rogue Wave ( formerly: Visual Numerics) - PyIMSL Studio - “The Python component of PyIMSL Studio is available without charge for non-commercial use. PyIMSL Studio is license managed software. A license key valid for three months is included in the download file. To extend your non-commercial trial use of PyIMSL Studio, please visit the license key renewal page”.
The commercial IDE Wingware Python IDE - The Intelligent Development Environment for Python Programmers, for Windows and Linux.
The IDE JetBrains "pyCharm - Powerful Python and Django IDE" for Windows and Linux, with free and commercial editions.
- JetBrains "PyCharm Edu" - “Free, easy and professional tool to learn programming with Python”.
- JetBrains "pyCharm - Previous PyCharm Releases".
- JetBrains "PyCharm Editions Comparison".
- Tutorial OpenCog "Installing PyCharm" on Linux.
- JetBrains "Installation Instructions" for Linux.
- Tips:
  - ”/usr/local/bin/charm” is the default path to execute PyCharm from Linux commandline.
  - PyCharm as all IntelliJ IDEs requires much time and computing-power for “indexing” of the file system - even with a little project -, often leading to an unsuitable performance of the IDE and inacceptable low usabilty on development systems with classical mechancial harddisks. Instead experts told me, that the performance on systems with SDD drives is acceptable, and that “any developer” has development systems with SSD drives nowadays .
- EN.Wikipedia "PyCharm", DE.Wikipedia "PyCharm" - “PyCharm Community Edition, the open source version of PyCharm, became available on 22 October 2013”.