IDLE is a very small and simple cross-platform IDE that is included free withPython and is released under the open-source Python Software Foundation License.
I do Python programming almost exclusively, so Wing's Python-centric approach is a good fit for me. The debugger is first-class. It works on multi-process, multi-thread programs and supports remote debugging. The editor is great. It's got VI and emacs mode and it's extensible with Python scripts. The support staff is great. IDLE is known to hang or crash when used with the Apple 8.5.7 included in all versions of macOS 10.6.x. Because of this, we strongly recommend that you do not attempt to use Tkinter or IDLE with the Apple-supplied Python 2.6.1 in 10.6. Instead, install a newer version of Python that supports a newer version of Tk. This is an Aqua Cocoa Tk. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked 25 alternatives to IDLE and 18 are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to IDLE are PyCharm (Freemium, Open Source), IPython (Free, Open Source), Light Table (Free, Open Source) and Komodo IDE (Freemium). 32-bit for Mac OS X 10.3 through 10.6: Python 2.7.3 Mac OS X 32-bit i386/PPC Installer; 32-bit or 64-bit OS X 10.6: Python 2.7.3 Mac OS X 64-bit/32-bit x86-64/i386 Installer; Run the installer and click through the prompts. Default options are usually just fine. This installs IDLE, too, by default.
Anaconda and Miniconda include IDLE.
To use IDLE:
- Find the IDLE program file:EXAMPLES for Miniconda with Python 3 and user name “jsmith”:
- On macOS, the full path may be
/Users/jsmith/miniconda3/bin/idle3.5
- On Windows, the full path may be
C:UsersjsmithMiniconda3Scriptsidle
- On macOS, the full path may be
- Run IDLE from file explorer or from the command line by entering the full path.
Tip
You can make a shortcut to the IDLE program fileon your desktop.
Python can be a great tool for Search Marketers allowing us to automate repetitive tasks and work with large data sets to analyse trends. This is ideal for marketing industries such as automotive and retail due to it’s saturation. If you’re new to python, there are a number of different issues you might run into even when setting up your environments. Below is one of the most common, highly relevant if you’re working through a guide or textbook such as Automate The Boring Stuff
If you’d like to discover what else python can do for you, such as how to get root domain from URL, make sure to check out our blog.
Import module works in Terminal but not in IDLE
When using python in IDLE on Mac, each python installation has it’s own …/lib/site-packages for 3rd party modules. Depending on your installation method (using the regular
pip install package-name
) terminal won’t allow you to import them when using IDLE.This isn’t ideal, as there are a number of different libraries you won’t be able to live without – luckily this is easy to solve.
How to import Modules to IDLE on MAC
Locate the system path
Open Terminal and Enter…
Test if working
Enter “
import sys; sys.executable
” into your IDLE shell.This will give you your file path which will be needed in terminal, see step 1 image below.
python-path -m pip install package-name
This, for example, will install the Matplotlib plotting library
Terminal will now install, and your modules will work within IDLE. While this isn’t the most future-proofed way of doing things, it does allow you to get back to programming without having to worry.
Further information on IDLE
what is IDLE python?
IDLE stands for Integrated Development and Learning Environment. IDLE is essentially a simple IDE (Integrated Development Environment), suitable for Python novices and beginners, often used for educational purposes.
While IDLE is a great place to start, other IDEs offer far more functionality. My personal favourite is Pycharm made by JetBrain, I’d recommend giving it a try as it integrates tools and libraries such as NumPy and Matplotlib while also supporting other widely used programming languages.
Images for reference
Python Idle Mac Os X
Step 1
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Python Idle Macos Catalina
Python Ide For Mac Os
*I already have the library installed so the requirements are already satisfied