How do I set up a python development environment?

Ok so I have decided to delve into the realms of casual coding and I have been told Python is a great language for beginners like myself. I know (not really sure though) the Python interpreter is included by default in Ubuntu but plan to install the IDLE GUI as my Python GUI. What else do I need to do to make my 12.04 set-up a true Python development environment?

In Ubuntu 12.04 Python 2.7.3 is already pre-installed

Take a look at the Ubuntu Software Center -> Developer Tools -> Python There you can find IDLE or SPE, which are both good development environments. They should work out of the box. There are also Plugins available for Eclipse and Netbeans.

if you want to use the newest version of Python take a look at this website

https://www.python.org/downloads/

There is a good video here on YouTube about how to write a python program for Ubuntu using Quickly. The example shows how to create a quick browser.

It uses whatever editor you have configured, such as gedit or vim.