IPython workflow (edit, run)

When I'm working with python, I usually have two terminal windows open - one with IPython, and the other with a fairly customized Vim.

Two good resources:

• http://blog.dispatched.ch/2009/05/24/vim-as-python-ide/
• http://dancingpenguinsoflight.com/2009/02/python-and-vim-make-your-own-ide/

Though it sounds like what you want is IPython's magic function %ed/%edit:

An example of what you can do:

In [72]: %ed
IPython will make a temporary file named: c:\docume~1\wjwe312\locals~1\temp\ipython_edit_ar8veu.py

In the file I put:

x = "Hello World"
print 3

After saving and quitting the file:

Editing... done. Executing edited code...
3
Out[72]: "x = 'Hello world'\nprint 3\n"

In [73]: x
Out[73]: 'Hello world'

You can define functions or anything else - just remember that the contents of the file will be executed when you close it.

Another similar workflow is to cd to the directory containing your Python script that you're editing with your favorite editor. Then you can %run the script from within IPython and you'll have access to everything defined in the file. For instance, if you have the following in the file test.py in your /home/myself directory:

    class Tester(object):
        def __init__(self):
            print "hi"

    def knightme(name):
        print "Hello, Sir ", name

Then you can do the following:

In [42]: cd /home/myself
/home/myself

In [43]: %run test.py # <Tab> autocomplete also works

In [44]: knightme('John')
Hello, Sir  John

In [45]: t = Tester()
Hi

Either a mix or one of those workflows should give you something very similar to the way you're used to working in IDLE.

Spyder, previously known as SPyderlib / Spyder2

Pretty lightweight, fast and support almost all features you will ever need to work with a python project. It can edit and run .py files in an embedded IPython instance and then interact with them, set breakpoints, etc.

full-size

Try Spyder, I have spent all day trying to find an IDE which has the functionality of ipython and Spyder just kicks it out of the park..

Autocomplete is top notch right from install, no config files and all that crap, and it has an Ipython terminal in the corner for you to instantly run your code.

big thumbs up