Module 4: IDEs & Tools

Professional Development Environment

This module covers the tools that professional Python developers use. You will install VS Code, write and run scripts, work with files, manage environments with conda, and build your own small library.

From Notebooks to Professional Tools

Jupyter notebooks are excellent for learning and exploration, but real projects need more: code that can be reused, files that are read and written, libraries that are installed, and environments that keep each project independent. An IDE (integrated development environment) such as VS Code brings these tools together.

The key skill in this module is knowing which tool to use for which task, and organising your code so that you, and other people, can reuse it.

A wooden box full of hand tools such as hammers and pliers. — An IDE is like a toolbox: everything you need in one place. Photo: Ctsu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

This module is not part of the exams

Module 4 is not assessed in the quizzes, the midterm or the final exam. Its purpose is different: to teach you the tools that programmers use every day. You will not be asked about it, but you will use it constantly in the courses that follow, in your projects and in your future job.

Start applying these tools right now. Do your exercises from other modules in VS Code, create a conda environment for each project, and write scripts instead of long notebooks. The sooner you practise, the sooner it feels natural.

If you get stuck, ask. Installing software on different laptops and operating systems can be confusing, and it is normal that something does not work the first time. Write to your professor, dprecioso@faculty.ie.edu, or bring the problem to class. Include the error message and your operating system, and we will solve it together.

Module Structure

The module has four parts. Each one builds on the previous one.

4.1 Introduction to Python development tools

Installing VS Code GitHub Copilot for Students Libraries, pip and conda

4.2 Scripts

Writing and Running Scripts

4.3 Files

Files and Directories The random Library and Monte Carlo

4.4 Environments and extensions

Python Environments with Conda Creating Your Own Library

Extra Practice

These pages are optional. They are good practice to review the previous modules and to see everything working together:

Review of Modules 1 to 3 RSA Encryption

Learning Goals

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Explain what an IDE is and install and configure VS Code with Python and Jupyter.
Run notebooks and scripts in VS Code, and choose between them.
Write scripts with a main function and import functions from other scripts.
Understand directories and paths, and read and write text and JSON files with open().
Use the random library to simulate random events and run Monte Carlo experiments.
Install libraries with pip and conda.
Create and manage conda environments, and select them in VS Code.
Organise code into modules and a package that you can install and import from anywhere.

How to Use This Material

Follow the pages in order: each part builds on the previous one.
Do the exercises in VS Code, not in Colab, so you practise the tools of this module.
Try each exercise before opening its solution.
When something does not work, read the error message carefully, then check the working directory and the active environment.

What’s Next?

After completing this module, you will have a solid foundation in Python programming, from basic syntax to professional development practices. You will be ready to explore specialised libraries for data science, web development or scientific computing.

Back to Course Home

--- title: "Module 4: IDEs & Tools" subtitle: "Professional Development Environment" format: html --- This module covers the tools that professional Python developers use. You will install VS Code, write and run scripts, work with files, manage environments with conda, and build your own small library. ## From Notebooks to Professional Tools Jupyter notebooks are excellent for learning and exploration, but real projects need more: code that can be reused, files that are read and written, libraries that are installed, and environments that keep each project independent. An **IDE** (integrated development environment) such as VS Code brings these tools together. The key skill in this module is knowing **which tool to use for which task**, and organising your code so that you, and other people, can reuse it. ![An IDE is like a toolbox: everything you need in one place. Photo: Ctsu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.](../../img/m4-photo-toolbox.jpg){fig-alt="A wooden box full of hand tools such as hammers and pliers." width="55%" fig-align="center"} ::: {.callout-important} ## This module is not part of the exams Module 4 is **not assessed** in the quizzes, the midterm or the final exam. Its purpose is different: to teach you the tools that programmers use every day. You will not be asked about it, but you will use it constantly in the courses that follow, in your projects and in your future job. **Start applying these tools right now.** Do your exercises from other modules in VS Code, create a conda environment for each project, and write scripts instead of long notebooks. The sooner you practise, the sooner it feels natural. **If you get stuck, ask.** Installing software on different laptops and operating systems can be confusing, and it is normal that something does not work the first time. Write to your professor, [dprecioso@faculty.ie.edu](mailto:dprecioso@faculty.ie.edu), or bring the problem to class. Include the error message and your operating system, and we will solve it together. ::: ## Module Structure The module has four parts. Each one builds on the previous one. **4.1 Introduction to Python development tools** [Installing VS Code](vscode_install.qmd){.btn .btn-primary} [GitHub Copilot for Students](github_copilot.qmd){.btn .btn-primary} [Libraries, pip and conda](libraries.qmd){.btn .btn-primary} **4.2 Scripts** [Writing and Running Scripts](scripts.qmd){.btn .btn-primary} **4.3 Files** [Files and Directories](files.qmd){.btn .btn-primary} [The random Library and Monte Carlo](random_montecarlo.qmd){.btn .btn-primary} **4.4 Environments and extensions** [Python Environments with Conda](environments.qmd){.btn .btn-primary} [Creating Your Own Library](own_library.qmd){.btn .btn-primary} ## Extra Practice These pages are optional. They are good practice to review the previous modules and to see everything working together: [Review of Modules 1 to 3](review_general.qmd){.btn .btn-secondary} [RSA Encryption](rsa.qmd){.btn .btn-secondary} ## Learning Goals By the end of this module you will be able to: - Explain what an IDE is and install and configure VS Code with Python and Jupyter. - Run notebooks and scripts in VS Code, and choose between them. - Write scripts with a `main` function and import functions from other scripts. - Understand directories and paths, and read and write text and JSON files with `open()`. - Use the `random` library to simulate random events and run Monte Carlo experiments. - Install libraries with `pip` and `conda`. - Create and manage conda environments, and select them in VS Code. - Organise code into modules and a package that you can install and import from anywhere. ## How to Use This Material - Follow the pages in order: each part builds on the previous one. - Do the exercises in VS Code, not in Colab, so you practise the tools of this module. - Try each exercise before opening its solution. - When something does not work, read the error message carefully, then check the **working directory** and the **active environment**. ## What's Next? After completing this module, you will have a solid foundation in Python programming, from basic syntax to professional development practices. You will be ready to explore specialised libraries for data science, web development or scientific computing. [Back to Course Home](../../index.qmd){.btn .btn-secondary}