eric is an integrated development environment for Python programming, written in Python and built with the Qt toolkit, PyQt and the QScintilla editing component. It can serve as a lightweight source-code editor or a more comprehensive environment for developing and maintaining Python applications.
The IDE provides a configurable workspace combining editing, project management, debugging and software development tools. Its facilities are particularly useful for programmers creating desktop applications with Qt, although it also supports general-purpose Python development.
A plugin architecture makes it possible to extend the environment with additional development tools and integrations. The interface can be customised to suit different programming workflows.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Advanced source-code editor with configurable syntax highlighting, code folding, brace matching and automatic indentation.
- Code completion, calltips, class browsing and navigation to definitions.
- Project management facilities with separate views for source files, forms, translations and other resources.
- Integrated Python debugger supporting breakpoints, exception handling and inspection of program state.
- Debugging facilities for multithreaded and multiprocess Python applications.
- Interactive Python shell with syntax highlighting and automatic completion.
- Integrated profiling and code coverage tools for examining application behaviour.
- Support for unit testing within the development environment.
- Version control integration for Git, Mercurial and Subversion through plugins.
- Integration with Qt Designer and Qt Linguist for developing and translating graphical interfaces.
- Virtual environment management and tools for working with Python dependencies.
- Project-wide search and replace, task management and application diagrams.
- Optional plugins provide refactoring, linting, code analysis and other development facilities.
- Customisable interface with multiple editor windows and configurable layouts.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Website: eric-ide.python-projects.org
Support:
Developer: Detlev Offenbach and contributors
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
Eric is written in Python. Learn Python with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Python Integrated Development Environments | |
|---|---|
| PyCharm | Full-featured IDE. Two editions are available, one is open source software |
| Spyder | Python development environment providing MATLAB-like features |
| eric | Full featured Python editor and IDE, written in Python |
| Thonny | Tk-based IDE designed for novice programmers |
| PyDev | Python plugin for Eclipse |
| Leo | PIM, IDE and outliner |
| Pyzo | Interactive editor for scientific Python |
| PTK | Interactive environment for Python |
| IDLE | Python’s Integrated Development and Learning Environment |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
| Integrated Development Environments | |
|---|---|
| RStudio | Enterprise-ready professional software for R |
| PyCharm | Integrated Development Environment for Python |
| Neovim | Continuation and extension of Vim |
| Lapce | Fast and powerful code editor written in Rust |
| NetBeans IDE | Java based IDE from Apache |
| VSCodium | Binary distribution of VS Code |
| Eclipse | Java based environment combining a number of different Eclipse projects |
| Qt Creator | Cross-platform, complete Integrated Development Environment |
| Spyder | The Scientific Python Development Environment |
| KDevelop | An easy to use IDE for KDE |
| Helix | Post-modern modal text editor |
| Theia | Cloud & desktop IDE framework |
| eric | Full featured Python editor and IDE |
| Thonny | Python Integrated Development Environment for Beginners |
| Lazarus | Delphi compatible cross-platform IDE |
| PyDev | Python Integrated Development Environment for Eclipse |
| Gambas | Development environment and a full powerful development platform |
| Che | Kubernetes based Cloud Development Environments for Enterprise Teams |
| Leo | Python based IDE, Outliner and PIM |
| IntelliJ IDEA | IDE for Java, Groovy, and other languages |
| LiteIDE | Edit and build Go projects |
| Arduino IDE | Electronics prototyping platform |
| ZeroBrane Studio | Lightweight Lua-based IDE for Lua |
| CodeLite | Powerful and lightweight C/C++ IDE |
| Pyzo | Cross-Platform Python IDE focused on interactivity and introspection |
| DrRacket | IDE for the Racket programming languages |
| Builder | IDE for GNOME |
| Geany | Small and lightweight IDE based on Scintilla |
| Code::Blocks | Very extensible and fully configurable |
| Ecere SDK | Software development kit |
| Zasper | IDE for Data Science |
| U++ | Rapid application development framework |
| roobuilder | Vala and JavaScript IDE |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
 Explore our carefully curated directory of recommended free and open source software, covering every major software category.The directory forms part of our extensive collection of articles for Linux enthusiasts. It includes hundreds of detailed reviews, together with free and open source alternatives to proprietary software from companies such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. LinuxLinks also covers interesting projects worth exploring, Linux-compatible hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application that we haven’t covered? Tell us about it using our submission form. |
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
This page is not up-to-date. The most recent variant is eric7 based on PyQt6 and Python3. It includes most of the a.m. functionality and quite a lot more. See the eric-ide web site for more details and screenshots.
LinuxLinks is run by a few volunteers. Thanks for bringing the outdated information to our attention.
The site is being updated in accordance with our recent announcement.