Why do you need good tools for create software? 🤔
Short answer
Really you don't, in fact you only need something to write code, and something for run it.
So what's the reason to spend time searching for the best tools?
Although you don't need anything extraordinary to build awesome applications, the tools that you use everyday help you to make it faster and with less errors. As a result you create better software in less time.
Currently one of the most used code editors is VScode, offered by Microsoft. I know that some of you are afraid of Microsoft as company, but lastly it has been one of the best organizations that are supporting the software developing environment. From Github, to Azure and as I mentioned the best code editor in the earth.
Best extensions in Vscode for Python apps.
Note: For install extensions run the command palette with Ctrl + p and paste the installation command. If you can't (For any reason), just search the extension name in the
extensions tab.
Python
The must have extension: ms-python
It has a lot of features like Intellisense, Formatting, debugging, snippets, etc ...
Also it installs for you the jupyter notebook extension!
Installation:
ext install ms-python.python
Python snippets
This extension give you a lot of abbreviations to avoid writing by yourself the same thing many times.Python snippets
Installation:
ext install frhtylcn.pythonsnippets
Python Docstrings
Documentation is important, and this extension allows you to create beautiful docstrings for you functions/classes: docstring generator
Installation:
ext install njpwerner.autodocstring
Python indent
Fix Python indentation each time you press Enter: Python indent
Installation:
ext install KevinRose.vsc-python-indent
Python testing
If you are creating large applications, you'll need tests for ensure that the code works properly. This extension allows you to run your tests directly from the VScode UI: Python test explorer
Installation:
ext install LittleFoxTeam.vscode-python-test-adapter
Real time Python Runner
Writing small applications requires rapid output checking. With this extension you can see the output of a python a file changing in real time: AREPL for python
Installation:
ext install almenPython frameworks extensionson.arepl
General purpose extensions
These extensions help you to create code effortlessly.
Indent Rainbow
This extension colorizes the indentation of your python file. It results really useful when the code has a lot of nested levels. Indent rainbow
Installation:
ext install oderwat.indent-rainbow
Better comments
This extension help you to create better comments, by highlighting special parts like TODO's, paramaters and queries. Better comments
Installation:
ext install aaron-bond.better-comments
Git lens
Working with Git? This extension give you super powers working with Git. Git lens
Installation:
ext install eamodio.gitlens
Extensions for Python frameworks
Django template language
The django extension allows you to create clean and well highlighted DTL templates. Django
Extension tip: This extension only works if you modify your settings file and add this json keys:
# SETTINGS_FOLDER/User/settings.json
"files.associations": {
"**/*.html": "html",
"**/templates/**/*.html": "django-html",
"**/templates/**/*": "django-txt",
"**/requirements{/**,*}.{txt,in}": "pip-requirements"
},
Installation:
ext install batisteo.vscode-django
Django snippets
Curated snippets for develop Django apps.Django snippets
Installation:
ext install bibhasdn.django-snippets
Extra
Beautify your workspace
You should make beautiful, the space you use many hours a day.
So let's take a look and what you can do:
Installing icons
Install the Vscode icons and you'll access to a bunch of file extensions icons.
Here is my preferred theme:
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Any extension I left out of this list?, please let me know in the comments!
Top comments (8)
Do you really need that? VSC will try to use autopep8 anyway, you just need to enable "format on save", and that's all.
I don't really use gitlens (apart from Blame), because 95% terminal is more convenient, but I frequently use
mhutchie.git-graphextension which is less chaotic thangit log --graphNice
Thanks!
Good explanation
🙏
Good list! FYI though the command for Python indent seems incorrect, as it's the same one as for autodocstring.
Totally true. Fixed 😀
Any feedback?