Thonny is an Open Source Python IDE for beginners.

Thonny Makes Programming Easier
Getting started with programming has never been easier, thanks to Thonny. This integrated development environment (IDE) comes pre-packaged with Python version 3.7, simplifying the installation process to just one straightforward installer. This means you won’t have to navigate through multiple downloads or configurations; install Thonny, and you’ll be ready to learn how to code.

Flexibility
Thonny provides users with the flexibility to utilize their own Python installation if they prefer or require it for their projects. If you already have Python set up on your system, you can seamlessly connect Thonny to your existing installation. This allows you to leverage the features of Thonny while using your personally configured Python environment, ensuring that you can work in a familiar setup while benefiting from Thonny’s user-friendly interface and tools tailored for learning and development.

Good Choice for Beginners
Additionally, Thonny’s user interface is specifically designed with beginners in mind. It is intentionally minimalistic, removing potentially distracting features that might overwhelm new users. This focus allows learners to concentrate fully on programming fundamentals without unnecessary complications.

Overall, Thonny provides a welcoming and user-friendly environment to kickstart your coding journey.

Thonny Features:

Initial layout
No-hassle variables. Once done with hello-worlds, select View → Variables and see how your programs and shell commands affect Python variables.

Variables table
Simple debugger. Press Ctrl+F5 instead of F5, and you can run your programs step-by-step; no breakpoints are needed. Press F6 for a big step and F7 for a small step. Steps follow program structure, not just code lines.

Stepping through statements
Step through expression evaluation. If you use small steps, you can see how Python evaluates your expressions. You can think of this light-blue box as a piece of paper where Python replaces subexpressions with their values, piece by piece.

Visualization of expression evaluation
Faithful representation of function calls. Stepping into a function call opens a new window with a separate local variables table and code pointer. A good understanding of how function calls work is crucial for understanding recursion.

Visualization of call frames
Highlights syntax errors. Unclosed quotes and parentheses are the most common syntax errors for beginners. Thonny's editor makes these easy to spot.

Visualization of syntax errors
Explains scopes. Highlighting variable occurrences reminds you that the same name doesn't always mean the same variable and helps spot typos. Local variables are visually distinguished from globals.

Local and global names are visually distinguished
Mode for explaining references. Variables are initially presented according to the simplified model (name → value), but you can switch to a more realistic model (name → address/id → value).

Variables table vs. values table
Code completion. Students can explore APIs with the help of code completion.

Code completion
Beginner-friendly system shell. Select Tools → Open system shell to install extra packages or learn to handle Python on the command line. Thonny takes care of PATH and conflicts with other Python interpreters.

System shell prepared for Python commands
Clean and straightforward pip GUI. Select Tools → Manage packages for an even easier installation of 3rd party packages.