How to install Eclipse and PyDev

If you are just starting to learn Python development, you may be wondering what is a good IDE (Interactive Development Environment) you can use to get the code flowing? My personal favorite is Eclipse with the PyDev plugin.

Why is it my favourite? For a few reasons:

• Eclipse is a powerful IDE with many built in features.
• Eclipse has an extensive marketplace for plugins.
• It’s Open Source.
• Easily sync projects to remote servers over SSH.
• Nice Git integration.

So, how do you get going with this awesome IDE?

In this tutorial I will be using Windows 8.1, however it will work equally as well on a Mac or Linux machine.

Download Eclipse

If you have not done so already, download eclipse from https://www.eclipse.org/downloads/.

The file you download will look something like this:

Extract the file to a location you wish to keep the application. Eclipse is unique in that there is no installer and it keeps all the files in the local directory.

Next, run eclipse.exe to load Eclipse for the first time.

Choose a workspace (where the project files will be stored) and click OK.

When it loads it will look something like this:

Click X on the tab to close the welcome screen.

Now Eclipse is installed and set up, it’s time to install PyDev. Click Help > Install New Software.

From the Install window, select Add to add a new site (this is to add an external repository to install a plugin and get latest updates)

In the Add Repository screen, enter the following:

Name: PyDev

Location: http://pydev.org/updates

Wondering what it all means? Well, Name is what it will be called in your repository list. Location is the URL for the repository updates. At the time if writing this article the repository URL is http://pydev.org/updates. This is unlikely to change, however, you can ensure you get the latest URL by looking on the PyDev website (http://pydev.org/download.html).

Enter the details into the Add Repository screen and click OK.

Now that the PyDev repository is added, you can install PyDev. From the Work with dropdown box, select PyDev.

The Available Software list should populate with some items. Check the box next to PyDev in the list, then select Next to continue.

The next screen is Install Details screen where you can review what you would like to install. Ensure that PyDev for Eclipse is in the list and click Next.

In the Review Licenses screen, read the license thoroughly and (if you agree) select I accept the terms of the license agreement. Then click Finish.

The Installing Software box will appear to show you the progress of the installation.

A popup will appear to confirm that you trust the certificates that are being used to install the software. In the Selection  Needed box, select the certificate for Brainwy Software; PyDev; Brainwy and click OK.

After the installation completes, you will be prompted to restart Eclipse. Select Yes to complete the installation.

When Eclipse restarts, on the surface, it will look as though nothing has changed and all the work has been for nothing. However, if you navigate to Window > Open Perspective > Other, you will see that all the hard work has in-fact, paid off.

In the Open Perspective menu, select PyDev from the list and click OK.

You will see the PyDev option appear on the top right of the screen. Select it to switch to the PyDev perspective (which basically sets Eclipse into Python mode).

If you wish to start a new project, select File > New > PyDev project from the top menu.

That’s it. PyDev is installed and setup for your Eclipse installation. If you have any questions of feedback, please use the comments box below.