How To Install and Use Python’s Built-in IDLE Development Environment

Python is one of the most widely used programming languages, and it comes with a built-in lightweight development environment called IDLE (Integrated Development and Learning Environment). Many beginners may not realize that IDLE is installed automatically with Python, providing an easy way to write and test Python code. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to install, launch, and use IDLE efficiently.

1. IDLE Comes Pre-installed with Python.

When you install Python, IDLE is included by default. The Python installer provides two main options:

1. Install Now (Recommended): Installs Python along with IDLE, pip (Python’s package manager), and documentation.
2. Customize Installation: Allows users to select individual components.

If you choose “Install Now“, IDLE will be installed automatically. However, if you choose “Customize Installation“, make sure to check “tcl/tk and IDLE”, otherwise, IDLE will not be installed.

2. How to Launch IDLE.

After installing Python, there are several ways to open IDLE:

2.1 Method 1: Using Windows Search.

1. Click on the Start Menu or Search Bar.
2. Type “IDLE”, and you should see “IDLE (Python 3.x)” appear.
3. Click on the IDLE icon to launch it.

2.2 Method 2: Running IDLE from Python’s Installation Directory.

1. Open File Explorer (Win + E).
2. Navigate to Python’s installation path, for example:

   C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Lib\idlelib\

3. Locate idle.pyw, double-click it, and IDLE will launch.

2.3  Method 3: Using Command Prompt or PowerShell.

1. Press Win + R, type `cmd`, and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   python -m idlelib

3. This will start IDLE.

3. Writing Python Code in IDLE.

Once IDLE is open, you will see the interactive Python shell, where you can type and execute Python commands directly. For example:

print("Hello, World!")

After pressing Enter, the output will be displayed:

Hello, World!

To write multi-line Python scripts:

1. Click File -> New File to open a new script editor.
2. Write your Python script, such as:

   name = input("Enter your name: ")
   print("Hello, " + name)

3. Click File -> Save and save the file with a `.py` extension.
4. Press F5 to run the script, or click Run -> Run Module.

4. Additional Features of IDLE.

1. Syntax Highlighting: IDLE provides basic syntax highlighting for better readability.
2. Auto-Indentation: Helps maintain proper indentation while writing Python code.
3. Debugger: IDLE includes simple debugging tools to step through code and troubleshoot errors.

5. Conclusion.

IDLE is a lightweight yet powerful development environment included with Python, making it ideal for beginners. You can launch IDLE using Windows Search, Command Prompt, or by running `idle.pyw`. With IDLE, you can quickly write, test, and debug Python code. Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand how to use IDLE efficiently to improve your Python programming skills.

6. Demo Video.

You can watch the following demo video by select the subtitle to your preferred subtitle language.