Python Tools Documentation

Welcome to the official documentation for Python Tools on MSDN. This section provides comprehensive guidance on how to leverage the power of Python within the Microsoft development ecosystem.

Introduction to Python Tools

Python Tools (PTVS) for Visual Studio provide a rich, open-source Python development experience for Visual Studio. It enables you to edit, run, debug, and package Python code, all within the familiar Visual Studio IDE.

Key Features

  • IntelliSense: Advanced code completion, syntax highlighting, and type inference.
  • Debugging: Full-featured debugger with support for remote debugging, mixed-mode debugging (Python/C++), and debugging web applications.
  • Project Support: Tools for managing Python projects, including support for various project types like web applications (Django, Flask).
  • Virtual Environments: Easy management of Python virtual environments directly within Visual Studio.
  • REPL Integration: Interactive Python execution within the IDE.
  • Extensibility: Support for developing and integrating with other Visual Studio tools.
Note: Python Tools are now integrated into Visual Studio as the "Python Development" workload. Ensure this workload is installed for full functionality.

Getting Started

To begin using Python Tools, you need to have Visual Studio installed with the "Python Development" workload. For detailed installation instructions, please refer to the Installation section.

Supported Python Versions

Python Tools support a wide range of Python versions, including:

  • CPython 2.7
  • CPython 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12
  • Anaconda 3
  • Jython
  • IronPython
Tip: For data science and machine learning tasks, consider using the Anaconda distribution, which includes numerous pre-installed scientific libraries.

Core Functionality

Explore the following sections to understand the core functionalities:

This documentation aims to be your go-to resource for mastering Python development with Visual Studio. If you encounter any issues or have feedback, please visit our Community forums.