projects / OpenSPARC-T2-SAM / blame
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1 | IDLE is Python's Tkinter-based Integrated DeveLopment Environment. |
| 2 | ||
| 3 | IDLE emphasizes a lightweight, clean design with a simple user interface. | |
| 4 | Although it is suitable for beginners, even advanced users will find that | |
| 5 | IDLE has everything they really need to develop pure Python code. | |
| 6 | ||
| 7 | IDLE features a multi-window text editor with multiple undo, Python colorizing, | |
| 8 | and many other capabilities, e.g. smart indent, call tips, and autocompletion. | |
| 9 | ||
| 10 | The editor has comprehensive search functions, including searching through | |
| 11 | multiple files. Class browsers and path browsers provide fast access to | |
| 12 | code objects from a top level viewpoint without dealing with code folding. | |
| 13 | ||
| 14 | There is a Python Shell window which features colorizing and command recall. | |
| 15 | ||
| 16 | IDLE executes Python code in a separate process, which is restarted for each | |
| 17 | Run (F5) initiated from an editor window. The environment can also be | |
| 18 | restarted from the Shell window without restarting IDLE. | |
| 19 | ||
| 20 | This enhancement has often been requested, and is now finally available. The | |
| 21 | magic "reload/import *" incantations are no longer required when editing and | |
| 22 | testing a module two or three steps down the import chain. | |
| 23 | ||
| 24 | (Personal firewall software may warn about the connection IDLE makes to its | |
| 25 | subprocess using this computer's internal loopback interface. This connection | |
| 26 | is not visible on any external interface and no data is sent to or received | |
| 27 | from the Internet.) | |
| 28 | ||
| 29 | It is possible to interrupt tightly looping user code, even on Windows. | |
| 30 | ||
| 31 | Applications which cannot support subprocesses and/or sockets can still run | |
| 32 | IDLE in a single process. | |
| 33 | ||
| 34 | IDLE has an integrated debugger with stepping, persistent breakpoints, and call | |
| 35 | stack visibility. | |
| 36 | ||
| 37 | There is a GUI configuration manager which makes it easy to select fonts, | |
| 38 | colors, keybindings, and startup options. This facility includes a feature | |
| 39 | which allows the user to specify additional help sources, either locally or on | |
| 40 | the web. | |
| 41 | ||
| 42 | IDLE is coded in 100% pure Python, using the Tkinter GUI toolkit (Tk/Tcl) | |
| 43 | and is cross-platform, working on Unix, Mac, and Windows. | |
| 44 | ||
| 45 | IDLE accepts command line arguments. Try idle -h to see the options. | |
| 46 | ||
| 47 | ||
| 48 | If you find bugs or have suggestions, let us know about them by using the | |
| 49 | Python Bug Tracker: | |
| 50 | ||
| 51 | http://sourceforge.net/projects/python | |
| 52 | ||
| 53 | Patches are always appreciated at the Python Patch Tracker, and change | |
| 54 | requests should be posted to the RFE Tracker. | |
| 55 | ||
| 56 | For further details and links, read the Help files and check the IDLE home | |
| 57 | page at | |
| 58 | ||
| 59 | http://www.python.org/idle/ | |
| 60 | ||
| 61 | There is a mail list for IDLE: idle-dev@python.org. You can join at | |
| 62 | ||
| 63 | http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/idle-dev |