When comparing NetBeans with Python Plugin vs IDLE, the Slant community recommends NetBeans with Python Plugin for most people. In the question“What are the best Python IDEs or editors?” NetBeans with Python Plugin is ranked 34th while IDLE is ranked 35th. The most important reason people chose NetBeans with Python Plugin is:
NetBeans is a free, GPL-licensed IDE.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Open source
NetBeans is a free, GPL-licensed IDE.
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 Slows down occasionally
The Netbeans IDE is known to take a large memory as compared to other lighter IDE's available in the market. Slowdown can decrease productivity and frustrate programmers.
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.