Which IDE or editor do you prefer for Python data science projects?

[mysterious-sprit]

I’m curious about the different IDEs and code editors that people use for Python in data science work. There are so many options out there — from full-featured IDEs like PyCharm and Visual Studio Code to simpler editors like Jupyter Notebook, Spyder, or even Vim and Sublime Text.

[Chirag037]

I personally prefer Visual Studio Code (VS Code) for Python data science projects. It strikes a great balance between being lightweight and powerful. Some reasons why:

Extensive extensions: The Python extension adds linting, debugging, IntelliSense (auto-completion), and Jupyter Notebook support right inside the editor.

Integrated terminal: Makes running scripts and commands very convenient.

Git integration: Easy to manage version control without leaving the editor.

Customizable UI: You can tweak themes and layouts to suit your workflow.

Good performance: Loads faster than full IDEs like PyCharm.

That said, I also use Jupyter Notebook a lot for exploratory data analysis and visualization because it allows running code in cells with immediate output and inline graphs — super helpful for iterative work.

For heavier projects or when I need advanced refactoring tools, PyCharm Professional is excellent, but it can be slower and heavier on resources.

Overall, I’d recommend starting with VS Code and Jupyter Notebook combo, especially if you’re just getting into data science.