When learning Python, everyone should have heard of Python IDE and Python interpreter. Some people often confuse them and mistakenly think that Python IDE is the Python interpreter. In fact, no, there is a big difference in nature between Python IDE and Python interpreter. So what is the difference between Python IDE and interpreter? Let's take you to learn together.
Python IDE
IDE, the full name of Integrated Development Environment, is an application used to provide a program development environment, generally including tools such as code editors, interpreters, debuggers, and graphical user interfaces. It is an integrated development software service suite that integrates code writing functions, analysis functions, compilation functions, debugging functions, etc. All software or software groups with this feature can be called integrated development environments. Common IDE tools include pycharm, Visual Studio Code, etc.
Python interpreter
As we all know, Python is an interpreted language, and the interpreter is an essential tool for Python to run. Therefore, when we build a Python environment, we essentially configure and customize Python. The interpreter is system software that can execute programs written in other computer languages. It is a translation program. Its execution method is to translate and execute at the same time, so its execution efficiency is generally low. However, the implementation of the interpreter is relatively simple, and the high-level language for writing source programs can use more flexible and expressive syntax.
The difference between Python IDE and interpreter:
The integrated development environment can bind and call the Python interpreter for code editing, running, debugging, etc., but it is not equivalent to the interpreter. Most of our operations in configuring IDE tools are adjusting the way we use the tools. Only the configuration of the interpreter is an adjustment to the code running environment.
Common Python interpreters:
1. CPython: This interpreter is developed in C language, so it is called CPython. Running Python from the command line starts the CPython interpreter. CPython is the most widely used Python interpreter. All codes in the tutorial are also executed under CPython.
2. IPython: IPython is an interactive interpreter based on CPython. In other words, IPython is only enhanced in interactive mode, but the function of executing Python code is exactly the same as CPython.
3. PyPy: PyPy is another interpreter whose goal is execution speed. JIT technology is used to dynamically compile Python code, so the execution speed of Python code can be significantly improved.
4.Jython: Jython is a Python interpreter running on the Java platform. It can directly compile Python code into Java bytecode for execution.