VSCode vs PyCharm

Python functions

As a software developer, choosing an integrated development environment (IDE) is an important decision to make. The IDE you choose can have a significant impact on your productivity, the quality of your code, and the ease of collaboration with other developers. In this article, we'll compare two popular IDEs: Visual Studio Code (VSCode) and PyCharm.

VSCode Overview

VSCode is a free, open-source, lightweight IDE developed by Microsoft. It's designed to be a versatile IDE for various programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, Java, C++, and more. VSCode is popular among developers for its customizable user interface, lightweight design, and an extensive library of extensions.

PyCharm Overview

PyCharm, developed by JetBrains, is a powerful IDE specifically designed for Python development. It's available in both a free community edition and a paid professional edition with additional features. PyCharm has a comprehensive set of tools for debugging, testing, and code analysis, making it a popular choice among Python developers.

VSCode vs PyCharm Comparison

Here, we'll compare VSCode and PyCharm based on several factors, including:

  • User Interface

  • Features and Tools

  • Performance

  • Price

  • User Interface

VSCode has a clean, minimalist interface that's easy to use and customize. The user interface is divided into three main areas: the editor, the sidebar, and the status bar. The editor provides syntax highlighting, code completion, and other editing features, while the sidebar contains panels for file navigation, debugging, and source control. The status bar displays the current file's encoding, line and column numbers, and other information.

PyCharm, on the other hand, has a more complex interface with more panels and menus. It's designed to provide access to all the tools a Python developer needs in one place. The interface is divided into several areas, including the editor, the project view, the navigation bar, and the tool windows. The editor provides syntax highlighting, code completion, and other editing features, while the project view provides a hierarchical view of the project's files and folders. The navigation bar provides easy access to project settings, search tools, and source control, while the tool windows provide additional tools for debugging, testing, and other tasks.

Features and Tools

VSCode has a vast library of extensions available, making it a versatile IDE for various programming languages. Some of the most popular extensions for Python development include:

  1. Python
  2. Code Runner
  3. Python Test Explorer
  4. Pylance

These extensions provide support for debugging, testing, code completion, and more. Additionally, VSCode has built-in support for Git, making it easy to collaborate with other developers.

PyCharm, on the other hand, has a comprehensive set of tools specifically designed for Python development. Some of the most useful features of PyCharm include:

  1. Intelligent code completion
  2. Advanced debugging tools
  3. Testing and profiling tools
  4. Code analysis and inspections
  5. Django and Flask support

PyCharm also has built-in support for Git and other version control systems, making it easy to collaborate with other developers.

Performance

Both VSCode and PyCharm are fast and responsive IDEs, but they have some differences in performance.

VSCode is a lightweight IDE that starts up quickly and has a minimal memory footprint. It's designed to be fast and responsive, even when working with large codebases. VSCode uses a separate process for each extension, which helps to keep the IDE stable and responsive.

PyCharm, on the other hand, is a more heavyweight IDE that requires more system resources. It's designed to provide a comprehensive set of tools for Python development, which can make it slower to start up and load large projects. However, PyCharm has several features that can help improve its performance, such as:

  • Code caching: PyCharm caches code in memory to reduce disk I/O and improve performance.

  • Background indexing: PyCharm indexes code in the background, so it doesn't slow down the IDE's performance.

  • Code analysis optimizations: PyCharm has several options for optimizing code analysis to improve performance.

  • Price

VSCode is a free, open-source IDE, which makes it an excellent choice for developers on a budget. VSCode's extensive library of extensions provides many features for free, including support for Python development.

PyCharm, on the other hand, has a free community edition and a paid professional edition. The professional edition includes additional features such as remote development, database tools, and web development tools. The pricing for the professional edition varies depending on the type of license and the number of users.

Code Examples

To demonstrate the differences between VSCode and PyCharm, let's look at some code examples.

Example 1: Debugging

Debugging is an essential part of software development. Both VSCode and PyCharm provide advanced debugging tools, but they have some differences in their implementation.

Here's an example of debugging a Python program in VSCode:


def add_numbers(x, y):
    sum = x + y
    return sum

print(add_numbers(2, 3))
print(add_numbers(4, 5))
print(add_numbers(6, 7))

To debug this program in VSCode, we can set breakpoints by clicking on the left margin of the editor window. We can then start debugging by clicking on the "Run and Debug" button in the sidebar. This will open the debugging view, where we can step through the program line by line, inspect variables, and evaluate expressions.

Here's an example of debugging the same program in PyCharm:


def add_numbers(x, y):
    sum = x + y
    return sum

print(add_numbers(2, 3))
print(add_numbers(4, 5))
print(add_numbers(6, 7))

To debug this program in PyCharm, we can set breakpoints by clicking on the left margin of the editor window or by pressing F9. We can then start debugging by clicking on the "Debug" button in the toolbar. This will open the debugging view, where we can step through the program line by line, inspect variables, and evaluate expressions.

Both VSCode and PyCharm provide powerful debugging tools, but PyCharm's debugger is more comprehensive and provides more advanced features.

Example 2: Code Analysis

Code analysis is an essential part of writing clean, maintainable code. Both VSCode and PyCharm provide code analysis tools, but they have some differences in their implementation.

Here's an example of code analysis in VSCode:


def add_numbers(x, y):
    sum = x + y
    print(sum)

add_numbers(2, 3)

To perform code analysis in VSCode, we can install the "Python" extension and enable linting. This will highlight any syntax errors, unused variables, or other issues in the code. In this example, VSCode will highlight the unused variable "sum."

Here's an example of code analysis in PyCharm:


def add_numbers(x, y):
    sum = x + y
    print(sum)

add_numbers(2, 3)

To perform code analysis in PyCharm, we don't need to install any additional extensions. PyCharm's code analysis tools will automatically highlight any syntax errors, unused variables, or other issues in the code. In this example, PyCharm will highlight the unused variable "sum" and provide suggestions for how to fix it.

PyCharm's code analysis tools are more comprehensive and provide more detailed feedback than VSCode's tools.

Example 3: Code Navigation

Code navigation is essential when working with large projects with many files and classes. Both VSCode and PyCharm provide tools for navigating code, but they have some differences in their implementation.

Here's an example of code navigation in VSCode:


from math import sqrt

def quadratic_formula(a, b, c):
    discriminant = b ** 2 - 4 * a * c
    if discriminant < 0:
        return None
    else:
        x1 = (-b + sqrt(discriminant)) / (2 * a)
        x2 = (-b - sqrt(discriminant)) / (2 * a)
        return (x1, x2)

class Rectangle:
    def __init__(self, width, height):
        self.width = width
        self.height = height

    def area(self):
        return self.width * self.height

r = Rectangle(3, 4)
print(r.area())

roots = quadratic_formula(1, 0, -1)
print(roots)

To navigate to the definition of the "sqrt" function in VSCode, we can place the cursor on the function name and press F12. This will take us to the definition of the function in the "math" module.

To navigate to the definition of the "Rectangle" class in VSCode, we can place the cursor on the class name and press F12. This will take us to the class definition in the same file.

Here's an example of code navigation in PyCharm:


from math import sqrt

def quadratic_formula(a, b, c):
    discriminant = b ** 2 - 4 * a * c
    if discriminant < 0:
        return None
    else:
        x1 = (-b + sqrt(discriminant)) / (2 * a)
        x2 = (-b - sqrt(discriminant)) / (2 * a)
        return (x1, x2)

class Rectangle:
    def __init__(self, width, height):
        self.width = width
        self.height = height

    def area(self):
        return self.width * self.height

r = Rectangle(3, 4)
print(r.area())

roots = quadratic_formula(1, 0, -1)
print(roots)

To navigate to the definition of the "sqrt" function in PyCharm, we can place the cursor on the function name and press Ctrl+B. This will take us to the definition of the function in the "math" module.

To navigate to the definition of the "Rectangle" class in PyCharm, we can place the cursor on the class name and press Ctrl+B. This will take us to the class definition in the same file.

Both VSCode and PyCharm provide powerful tools for navigating code, but PyCharm's implementation is more comprehensive and provides more options for customization.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both VSCode and PyCharm are excellent choices for Python development, and the choice between them ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. VSCode is a lightweight, fast IDE that is easy to use and has an extensive library of extensions. PyCharm is a more comprehensive IDE that provides advanced features such as code analysis, debugging, and code navigation, but it can be slower and more resource-intensive.

Regardless of which IDE you choose, Python is an excellent language for software development, with a vast and growing ecosystem of libraries and frameworks to support all kinds of applications. Below is a summary of the differences between VSCode and PyCharm:

  • VSCode is a lightweight, fast IDE that is easy to use and has a vast library of extensions. PyCharm is a more comprehensive IDE that provides advanced features such as code analysis, debugging, and code navigation, but it can be slower and more resource-intensive.

  • VSCode is better suited for small projects, while PyCharm is better suited for large projects with complex codebases.

  • VSCode provides basic code analysis tools, while PyCharm provides more comprehensive code analysis tools.

  • VSCode's debugging tools are less comprehensive than PyCharm's, but they are easier to use.

  • VSCode's code navigation tools are less comprehensive than PyCharm's, but they are still powerful and easy to use.

Ultimately, the choice between VSCode and PyCharm depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're working on a small project and want a lightweight, fast IDE, VSCode is an excellent choice. If you're working on a large project with a complex codebase and need advanced features such as code analysis, debugging, and code navigation, PyCharm is the better choice.

It's worth noting that there are other Python IDEs available, such as Spyder and Sublime Text, and it's always a good idea to try out different IDEs and see which one works best for you. The important thing is to choose an IDE that you're comfortable with and that helps you be productive in your development work.

In conclusion, both VSCode and PyCharm are excellent Python IDEs that provide powerful tools for development. The choice between them ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences, and both are worth exploring and trying out.

Shop

Gifts for programmers

Best laptop for Excel

$
Gifts for programmers

Best laptop for Solidworks

$399+
Gifts for programmers

Best laptop for Roblox

$399+
Gifts for programmers

Best laptop for development

$499+
Gifts for programmers

Best laptop for Cricut Maker

$299+
Gifts for programmers

Best laptop for hacking

$890
Gifts for programmers

Best laptop for Machine Learning

$699+
Gifts for programmers

Raspberry Pi robot kit

$150

Latest questions

PythonStackOverflow

Common xlabel/ylabel for matplotlib subplots

1947 answers

PythonStackOverflow

Check if one list is a subset of another in Python

1173 answers

PythonStackOverflow

How to specify multiple return types using type-hints

1002 answers

PythonStackOverflow

Printing words vertically in Python

909 answers

PythonStackOverflow

Python Extract words from a given string

798 answers

PythonStackOverflow

Why do I get "Pickle - EOFError: Ran out of input" reading an empty file?

606 answers

PythonStackOverflow

Python os.path.join () method

384 answers

PythonStackOverflow

Flake8: Ignore specific warning for entire file

360 answers

News


Wiki

Python | How to copy data from one Excel sheet to another

Common xlabel/ylabel for matplotlib subplots

Check if one list is a subset of another in Python

How to specify multiple return types using type-hints

Printing words vertically in Python

Python Extract words from a given string

Cyclic redundancy check in Python

Finding mean, median, mode in Python without libraries

Python add suffix / add prefix to strings in a list

Why do I get "Pickle - EOFError: Ran out of input" reading an empty file?

Python - Move item to the end of the list

Python - Print list vertically