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leftovers

#10: Other IDEs, shells, and text editors

It might be hard for you to fathom, but there is life beyond IDLE.
There’s life beyond the Python Shell, too. Both IDLE and the Python
Shell are great learning tools, but sooner or later, you might find
yourself wanting more.
iPython is a bit like the Python Shell on steroids, and a lot of Python
programmers swear by it. It has a lot of extra features over and
above those in the normal shell that are designed to make the Python
programmer’s life easier. It is well-worth looking into.

When it comes to full-blown programming environments, there
are many choices. Search the Internet for “Python IDE” to see a
complete list. A few that come up more than most include: Komodo,
Eclipse, and Eric. It’s worth taking a look at each, and then
deciding if one of them (or something else entirely) is just right for
you.
IDLE and the Python Shell may satisfy your needs. But, if you are
looking for more from your programming tool, there’s lots of choices
out there.

As for text editors... well, there are lots of choices, too. Some people
prefer Emacs, while others prefer vi. The Head First Labs advice is to
try out a few editors before picking the one that best suits your needs.

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