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IPython

IPython is an interactive Python shell and notebook environment for data analysis and scientific computing. It offers enhanced introspection, rich media, shell syntax, tab completion, and integrates well with matplotlib for data visualization.

What is IPython?

IPython is an interactive command shell and notebook environment for the Python programming language. It provides:

  • An enhanced interactive Python shell with unique features for tab completion, object introspection, system shell access, command history retrieval across sessions, and more.
  • An architecture that supports interactive parallel and distributed computing.
  • A web-based notebook interface allowing documents to contain live code, equations, visualizations, explanatory text, etc. Useful for data analysis, numerical simulation, statistics, machine learning, data visualization, and more.
  • High-performance tools for scientific computing, including integration with numpy, scipy, matplotlib, sympy, and other common libraries.
  • Built-in integration for interactive data visualization with matplotlib, plotly, bokeh and other Python plotting libraries.
  • Architecture extensible by third party developers through a plugins system.

Some key advantages of IPython include more productive interactive workflows via the notebook interface, easy transition between shell and notebook modes, support for multiple programming languages, and tools tailored for high-performance numerical computing and data science. The notebook format allows users to create reproducible documents containing code, text, figures, and other rich output.

IPython supports distributed and parallel computing for large-scale data analysis or large simulations. It can also connect to data sources like SQL or NoSQL databases. The project originated in 2001 as an enhanced Python interpreter and has since grown into a tool used widely across scientific Python communities in academia and industry.

The Best IPython Alternatives

Top Apps like IPython

PyScripter, Jupyter, Deepnote, Apache Zeppelin, Livebook, Spyder, QPython 3L, Pyzo, Ecere SDK, Python Tools For Visual Studio, GNU Bourne Again SHell, Observable Notebooks, Polynote, Mu Editor, Kajero, bpython, SQL Notebook, Boa Constructor, ptpython, the xonsh shell, expressPython, WideStudio, Notebook Viewer Jupyter Notebooks, DataSpell, DataJoy, Bl.ocks, Reinteract, Data-Forge Notebook, Janetsh are some alternatives to IPython.

PyScripter

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Jupyter

Jupyter is an open-source web application that allows you to create and share documents that contain live code, equations, visualizations and narrative text. It supports over 40 programming languages including Python, R, Julia and Scala.Some key features of Jupyter include:Notebook interface - Combine code, text, visualizations etc. in a...

Deepnote

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Apache Zeppelin

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Livebook

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Spyder

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QPython 3L

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Pyzo

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Ecere SDK

Ecere SDK is an open source integrated development environment and application framework designed for building cross-platform desktop, mobile, and web applications using C/C++. It includes the following key components:A visual GUI designer for creating user interfaces that work across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.Compilers and runtime...

Python Tools For Visual Studio

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GNU Bourne Again SHell

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Observable Notebooks

Observable Notebooks is an interactive JavaScript environment for exploratory data analysis and visualization. It allows users to create shareable notebooks that combine executable code, rich output, visualizations, and narrative text.Some key features of Observable Notebooks:Built-in data visualization with D3.js and Vega-LiteReactive variables and cells that update outputs...

Polynote

Polynote is an open-source polyglot notebook that allows users to combine Scala, Python, SQL, and other languages in a flexible notebook interface. It is designed for interactive and batch data science workflows with support for visualization, exploration, and production tasks.Some key features of Polynote include:Mix languages freely including...

Mu Editor

Mu Editor is a simple Python integrated development environment and code editor designed primarily for beginner programmers. It provides a clean, approachable interface and set of features for basic Python coding.Some key features of Mu Editor include:Syntax highlighting for Python codeAutomatic indentation to keep code cleanly formattedSupport for...

Kajero

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Bpython

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SQL Notebook

SQL Notebook is an open-source web-based SQL IDE that allows users to execute SQL queries against databases and visualize the results in an intuitive graphical interface. It can connect to various relational databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, and more.Some key features of SQL Notebook include:Browser-based IDE...

Boa Constructor

Boa Constructor is an integrated development environment (IDE) designed specifically for the Python programming language. It provides developers with a graphical interface and tools to build Python programs faster and more easily.Some key features of Boa Constructor include:Drag-and-drop interface for building GUIs - Developers can quickly build graphical...

Ptpython

ptpython is an advanced Python REPL (read-evaluate-print loop) that provides a highly customizable interactive environment for Python programmers. Some of the key features of ptpython include:Syntax highlighting for Python code entered into the REPLFlexible autocompletion and IntelliSense supportMulti-line code editing and history in the REPLVim and Emacs editing mode...

The xonsh shell

The xonsh shell is a unique hybrid shell that combines features from Python as well as bash, zsh, and other traditional Unix shells. It works on Linux, Mac, and Windows systems.Some key features of xonsh include:Python powered - xonsh allows you to combine Python code inline with shell...

ExpressPython

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WideStudio

WideStudio is a feature-rich integrated development environment (IDE) and rapid application development (RAD) tool for creating desktop, mobile, and web apps. It provides developers a unified interface and environment for coding, testing, debugging, and deploying applications.With WideStudio, developers can build apps with various programming languages including C, C++, C...

Notebook Viewer Jupyter Notebooks

Notebook Viewer is an open-source web application designed specifically for viewing and interacting with Jupyter notebooks. It supports all major notebook formats including Jupyter (.ipynb), R Markdown (.Rmd) and more. Some key features include:Rendering of code, equations, visualizations and markdownExecution of code cells with output displayedSearching text, code and...

DataSpell

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DataJoy

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Bl.ocks

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Reinteract

Reinteract is an open-source customer engagement platform designed to help companies have more meaningful conversations with customers. It provides a suite of tools to:Centralize customer data from multiple sources into one databaseBuild customer profiles and segments to understand customers betterSet up automated, personalized marketing campaigns across email, mobile push...

Data-Forge Notebook

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Janetsh

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