An online Python compiler will give you a simple but functional development environment for this programming language. Let’s find out why you should use it when learning and programming Python.
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What Is An Online Python Compiler?
Online Python compilers are web-based IDEs (integrated development environments) for this programming language. They allow you to run Python programs from within your web browser without additional setup.
The Need For Web Python IDEs
If you want to write and execute Python code, you will typically need two pieces of software: a text editor and an interpreter. You create a .py file and write your code in it, then use the interpreter to run it.
For a seasoned programmer or dedicated learner, this should be a problem. They will need a permanent setup to master this language and start building more complex projects with Python anyway. A traditional IDE with all the bells and whistles will help them develop and manage the project faster and easier. Features like code completion or debugging are a godsend when your Python program goes beyond a few lines of code.
However, not everyone needs a full-fledged development environment like that. There are plenty of circumstances where a simple solution for running a short Python snippet would be a better idea.
For instance, most beginners are likely to run into this “Hello world” program when they check out the basics of Python:
def hello():
print("Hello world")
hello()This kind of example demonstrates the fundamentals of a programming language, giving newcomers a peek into the way it works in the simplest case. It might be too cumbersome if you need to download and install several applications just for this piece of code. This is when cloud-based Python IDEs come to the rescue.
Another situation in which a cloud IDE may help you better is collaborative coding.
Two or multiple members of a team may need to work on the same file at the same time. This approach can speed up the development progress and allow programmers to pick up errors from each other in real-time. While many solutions for pair and mob programming exist, web IDEs are always a popular choice.
How An Online Python Compiler Works
In a traditional development setup, you will need to install several tools on your local computer. Cloud technologies take a different approach and put all of them in a single web app instead. It removes all the hassles of creating and managing a development environment for you. Just access the page, log in to your account (if required), and start coding.
These browser-based apps try to mimic the same environment you would have if you installed a local IDE. There is a text editor where you enter and edit your code. It looks and works in a similar way to online document editors like Google Docs but with extra features for programming languages.
For instance, syntax highlighting is a must. It allows you to distinguish and identify different parts of your code.
You will have an interpreter or compiler to run your code as well. The web app will send it to the server, where the code will be actually executed by an actual compiler. Your browser will then receive and display the output that the server has transmitted back.
Other advanced features include file management, debugging, and version control. All of them are built-in into the web app and should require no other offline software running on your system.
Advantages of Online Python Compilers
Convenience
These browser-based compilers are the go-to choice when you need to do some quick tests. This is true even when you have already installed a full Python IDE on your computer.
Now we always have a web browser open on our system anyway. It makes more sense to open another tab and access an IDE from it instead of firing up a heavy program that you are likely to close a few minutes later.
Beginner-friendly
This setup-free solution allows you to learn a new language faster too. Beginners usually get asked to install an offline Python compiler when they start learning this language. It will be used to demonstrate examples used in the course, tutorial, or textbook.
Python IDEs aren’t the most complicated applications out there. However, there are plenty of concepts and steps a new programmer will have to get familiar with.
They will have to understand how to create and save a .py file. Some environment variables need to be set to correct values so the console or IDE can find and execute the compiler. There are a lot of things that can go wrong, especially for those who have never had any experience with programming before.
With a web app, no more setup is needed. You will just write or paste the code you want to run there, and the app will take care of the rest of it. You will have more time to focus on the language instead of the toolchain for the time being.
Platform-independence
When installing an offline Python compiler, you will need to match your system and the installer. Some versions just work on certain architectures and versions of your operating system. Most of them aren’t compatible with unusual development environments for developers like mobile phones.
On the other hand, web-based Python IDEs can run anywhere you can install a browser. Be it your phone or tablet – they should allow you to run Python – something almost impossible otherwise with a native compiler.
Collaboration
Web Python IDES are an ideal environment for collaborative programming.
Another person, such as your friend or your tutor, can log in and code with you on the same program, observing and coaching you along the way. Pair programming is also popular among professional developers, and cloud-based products are a perfect choice for them.
How To Use An Online Python Compiler
After opening the web app, you should have an area for code editing and an output console. Enter your Python code in the former, making sure it is error-free. Finally, press the Run button to tell the compiler to interpret your code and execute it.
The output will be displayed in a separate area as if you are running the Python program natively on your local system. If there are any problems with your code, the IDE should notify you in the same way your offline Python compiler treats errors.
For instance, enter this command into the editor and press Run:
print("Welcome to LearnShareIT")
The app should display this line on the output console right away:
Welcome to LearnShareITRemember that online Python compilers can also run more complex code. This example illustrates the simplest way to check if a number is even or odd in Python. It makes you of the input() function and if-else statements:
number = int(input("Enter a number: "))
if (number % 2) == 0:
print("This is an even number.")
else:
print("This is an odd number.")Run the code multiple times and observe the output when you enter different numbers:
Enter a number: 88
This is an even number.
Enter a number: 55
This is an odd number.As you can see, online Python compilers can support interactive programs too. This feature is useful when you need to try out Python code that needs inputs from the user.
Summary
An online Python compiler is a great idea when you try to pick up some basic features of this language or need to try out a small program. Available right in your web browser and requiring no extra setup, this cloud-based solution is a convenient choice for many beginners.
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