Thonny is an Open Source Python IDE for beginners.

Thonny Features:

Easy to get started. Thonny comes with Python 3.7 built-in, so just one simple installer is needed, and you're ready to learn to program. (You can also use a separate Python installation, if necessary.) The initial user interface is stripped of all features that may distract beginners.

Initial layout
No-hassle variables. Once you're done with hello-worlds, select View → Variables and see how your programs and shell commands affect Python variables.

Variables table
Simple debugger. Just press Ctrl+F5 instead of F5, and you can run your programs step-by-step, no breakpoints needed. Press F6 for a big step and F7 for a small step. Steps follow program structure, not just code lines.

Stepping through statements
Step through expression evaluation. If you use small steps, then you can even see how Python evaluates your expressions. You can think of this light-blue box as a piece of paper where Python replaces subexpressions with their values, piece-by-piece.

Visualization of expression evaluation
Faithful representation of function calls. Stepping into a function call opens a new window with separate local variables table and code pointer. Good understanding of how function calls work is especially important for understanding recursion.

Visualization of call frames
Highlights syntax errors. Unclosed quotes and parentheses are the most common beginners' syntax errors. Thonny's editor makes these easy to spot.

Visualization of syntax errors
Explains scopes. Highlighting variable occurrences reminds you that the same name doesn't always mean the same variable and helps to spot typos. Local variables are visually distinguished from globals.

Local and global names are visually distinguished
Mode for explaining references. Variables are initially presented according to the simplified model (name → value), but you can switch to a more realistic model (name → address/id → value).

Variables table vs. values table
Code completion. Students can explore APIs with the help of code completion.

Code completion
Beginner friendly system shell. Select Tools → Open system shell to install extra packages or learn to handle Python on the command line. PATH and conflicts with other Python interpreters are taken care of by Thonny.

System shell prepared for Python commands
Clean and straightforward pip GUI. Select Tools → Manage packages for even easier installation of 3rd party packages.

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