When comparing Kdevelop with kdev-python vs IDLE, the Slant community recommends Kdevelop with kdev-python for most people. In the question“What are the best Python IDEs or editors?” Kdevelop with kdev-python is ranked 17th while IDLE is ranked 35th. The most important reason people chose Kdevelop with kdev-python is:
PyCharm is amazing and easily the most feature option out there. But KDevelop is faster and has all the features needed for python develop. Opening new files, moving from file to file, code and syntax checks, everything happens instantly. In the end the speed is what won me over to use KDevelop, when code is in my mind I don't want to wait on my IDE.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Blazingly fast
PyCharm is amazing and easily the most feature option out there. But KDevelop is faster and has all the features needed for python develop. Opening new files, moving from file to file, code and syntax checks, everything happens instantly.
In the end the speed is what won me over to use KDevelop, when code is in my mind I don't want to wait on my IDE.
Pro Excellent syntax highlighting
Kdevelop has very smart syntax and semantic syntax highlighting.
Pro Real-time static analysis
Kdevelop has a pretty powerful and sophisticated implementation of static analysis for Python. It's capable of pretty good type inference, tracking types and the expected groking of inheritance trees.
Pro Best Vim bindings in an IDE
Most IDEs have very limited vim bindings, but KDevelop runs on the Kate editor. Kate is one of the most robust editors in the Linux world and is subsequently very functional. The Vim bindings are very close to complete with very few holes.
Pro Sometimes simple is best
For short scripts, a heavyweight IDE just gets in the way. It's also easier for beginners to understand.
Pro Written in pure Python/tkinter
You can dig in and change how it works.
Pro Included in standard Python distributions
You probably already have it.
Pro Debugger
It has one.
Cons
Con Works with no problems only on Linux
KDevelop is an IDE for the KDE platform. Even though it's cross-platform, it's mostly targeted at Linux systems and the versions for other operating systems are highly experimental.
Con No Tabbing for Files or Shell instances
Idle's Interactive Python Shell and the Python Text Editor are separate window applications. Many would expect them to be unified together within a single window. To create a python program file, or module, the user first opens Idle (It's Interactive Shell), then the user goes to [File] and [New File] to open the Idle Text Editor. Plus, every time a new python file is opened, a new instance of Idle runs separately. So, there are no tabbed modules. That's clumsy approach that adds the complexity of juggling around many Idle instances.