It’s basically an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) that helps you write, debug, and run your Python programs more efficiently than ever before.
Let me give you an example: let’s say you want to create a simple program in PyCharm that calculates the sum of two numbers. You can do this by following these steps:
1. Open up PyCharm on your computer (you might need to download it first if you haven’t already). 2. Click on “File” > “New Project” and select “Python Project”. This will create a new project for you to work in. 3. In the main window, click on “Create New File” or press Ctrl + N (Windows) / Command + N (Mac). A new file called “main.py” should appear. 4. Type in your code:
# This is a comment that explains what this line of code does
# Asks user to input the first number and converts it into an integer using the 'int' function
num1 = int(input("Enter the first number: "))
# Asks user to input the second number and converts it into an integer using the 'int' function
num2 = int(input("Enter the second number: "))
# Calculates the sum of the two numbers by adding them together
total = num1 + num2
# Prints out the result with a message that says "The total is:" followed by the actual value of 'total'
print("The total is:", total)
# The purpose of this script is to ask the user for two numbers, convert them into integers, and then calculate and print the sum of the two numbers.
# The 'int' function is used to convert the user's input into an integer, as the input function by default returns a string.
# The 'print' function is used to display the result to the user.
# The 'total' variable is used to store the sum of the two numbers.
5. Save your file (Ctrl + S / Command + S). 6. Run your program by clicking on “Run” > “Debug Configurations” and selecting “Python Application”. This will open up a new window where you can see what’s happening as the code runs. If everything goes well, you should see the output:
# Prompt user to enter first number
first_num = input("Enter the first number: ")
# Prompt user to enter second number
second_num = input("Enter the second number: ")
# Convert input strings to integers and add them together
total = int(first_num) + int(second_num)
# Print the total
print("The total is:", total)
# Wait for user to press any key before continuing
input("Press any key to continue . . .")
That’s it! You just created your very own Python program using PyCharm. And if you make a mistake, don’t worry PyCharm will highlight the error and suggest ways to fix it. It’s like having a personal assistant who understands every single line of code you write.
But what makes PyCharm really stand out is its deep understanding of Python’s nuances, ensuring a more intuitive coding experience. For example, if you type in “print(“hello world”)” and then press Tab, PyCharm will automatically add the quotes for you:
# This is a comment that explains what this line of code does
# The 'input' function prompts the user to enter a value and the 'int' function converts it into an integer
num1 = int(input("Enter the first number: "))
# Asks user to input the first number and converts it into an integer using the 'int' function
num2 = int(input("Enter the second number: "))
# Asks user to input the second number and converts it into an integer using the 'int' function
total = num1 + num2
# Calculates the sum of the two numbers by adding them together and assigns the result to the variable 'total'
print("The total is:", total)
# Prints out the result with a message that says "The total is:" followed by the actual value of 'total'
This might not seem like a big deal, but it can save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run. Plus, PyCharm’s debugging capabilities are also excellent, as the debugger offers local and remote debugging functionalities. This really simplifies the bug identification and fixing process, making it less of a hassle and more of a streamlined experience.
In my opinion, it’s perhaps the very best Python-specific IDE available right now, which is also why I chose it as a default for my own Python course, Python with Dr. Johns!