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While setting up some test servers at work I stumbled across Editra, which is a down to earth programmers editor written entirely in Python that works beautifully for Python programming. I love this editor for it's simplicity. I have used all the big editors, Spe, Eric, Dr. Python, etc, but on Windows I always choose to use Pythonwin simply for it's simplicity and stability.
Pythonwin comes with the ActiveState Python setup or with the pywin32 (Windows APIs) setup by Mark Hammond, which requires you find and download a missing DLL to get Pythonwin working - bothersome. While Pythonwin is a good editor it only runs on Windows and is static in it's features! I want an editor that works well and is just as simplistic as Pythonwin everywhere. I also like an editor where you can get “under the hood”. The fact that I can change the behavior of Pythonwin, because it's written in Python and the files can be easily edited, is yet another reason I liked it. After installing and using Editra for about a minute I was thinking it reminds me of a mix of Jedit + Dr. Python with the stability of Pythonwin and a tad bit of Cream thrown in for good measure. I fell in love instantly! I found my Pythonwin like editor that runs everywhere that works better than all the alternatives I've tried in the past. I haven't tried it on OS X yet, but it runs great on Linux as well as Windows XP and 2003/2008 servers so I can bet it works fine there also. Some features that appeal to me... 1. Takes Plug-ins, which are Python eggs. Awesome * 2 2. Vi emulation. 3. Has syntax highlighting for all major languages, not just Python. 4. Does auto complete, had to set Python as the default lexer in the settings under code before it worked. Does a great job at displaying the choices as well as textual info on functions, classes... Here are some screen shots of it in action... Click for bigger view.
5. Is tabbed. 6. Has all the standard bells and whistles, like folding, auto indent, etc... 7. Has color themes like Cream. I like dark colors myself. 8. Built in updater. 9. Has a Shell and Output panel. Programs run external to the editor unlike Pythonwin. 10. You can get under the hood or easily write plug-ins, all in Python. If you have been looking for a simplistic, light, and stable multi platform editor for Python, look no further than Editra. If you want a big IDE with projects, version control, etc. Spe really is a great editor, which also works in Blender. Alternatively, if you do Applications that are GUI based Boa Constructor or Eric may be of use to you. These are very good IDEs! If you want to work in an interactive shell environment you may wish to try iPython. My Mandriva 2009 workstation at work running Editra - Big image I sized it down to about 1440x900 but it's still big...
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