Microsoft has released Python Tools for Visual Studio 2.0 alpha with debugging improvements, Intellisense in addition to support for Windows Azure. The alpha release enables developers to debug Python script files using Visual Studio by simply opening the relevant file, right clicking on it and choosing Debug as Script option with the ability to set breakpoints, break all, inspect state with the call stack, locals and watch windows. Moreover, the remote debugging and client libraries are available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X.
Python Tools for Visual Studio 2.0 alpha includes support for IntelliSense in three different formats such as completions, signature help and quick info. The completions works by displaying a list of words based on the context and are filtered to avoid showing options that are incorrect or distracting.
The signature help format is displayed when writing a function call and includes any documentation and available parameter information. On the other hand, quick info is visible as a tooltip that is displayed when you place the mouse over an identifier and will have potential values or types, any available documentation, return types and definition locations.
The latest alpha release also provides support for Windows Azure, Virtual Machines, Cloud Service, Web Sites including browser based computing on Azure. Moreover, developers will be able to develop a Django application using Visual Studio and deploy them to Windows Azure.
According to official sources, Python Tools for Visual Studio 2.0 alpha release should be installed as per the steps listed below
- Uninstall previous version of Python Tools (if any)
- Install a Python distribution - CPython or IronPython
- Install Visual Studio 2010 or 2012 and then execute Python Tools for Visual Studio 2.0 alpha package
Python Tools for Visual Studio 2.0 alpha release provides support for Virtualenv, which is a Python tool for creating virtual environments. In order to create a new virtual environment, you should right click on the Virtual Environments tree node and select Create Virtual Environment option from within Visual Studio IDE.