What are the differences between ipython and bpython?

Question

What does ipython have that bpython lacks and vice versa? How do the two differ?

I disagree with the decision to close this question. It's an excellent question that has actual, factual answers that aren't opinion based that I would like to know. Listing the features unique to each isn't an opinion - it's a matter of fact. Either a feature is present or it isn't. Whether the feature is worth having is an opinion, but that's not the question being asked. — ArtOfWarfare
– ArtOfWarfare, Commented Oct 31, 2013 at 16:53
check out bypython-curtsies, it doesn't clear the screen on launch, and it has some other neat features: pip install git+https://github.com/thomasballinger/bpython.git@curtsies — Nick Sweeting
– Nick Sweeting, Commented Jul 22, 2014 at 17:47

Sven Marnach · Accepted Answer · 2010-11-20 15:20:11Z

81

If you just want an interactive interpreter, bpython should be fine. Just use it until you miss some feature you liked about IPython.

There are lots of features that IPython offers over bpython:

Special threading options. I like -gthread for experimenting with PyGTK and -pylab for matplotlib.
direct invocation of shell commands. cd in IPython is quite useful.
Full readline library support -- I can use the keyboard shortcuts I am used to.
Module reload facility - You can do a deep reload of a module after you have changed your code. This is very useful for testing and debugging.
Run functions in the background in a separate task with %bg.
A whole parallel programming environment (not really a feature you expect from an interactive Python shell, but IPython offers it).

This list could be nearly arbitrarily continued. And of course there will be lots of features in bpython lacking from IPython, but you did not ask for those.

So just use the one that works for you!

answered Nov 20, 2010 at 15:20

Sven Marnach

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5 Comments

admalledd Over a year ago

interesting, I have been using ipython on my (windows) laptop for tab completion, and it offers basic command line? time to read some documentation...

fish2000 Over a year ago

What Mr. Marnach said is all true, and I haven't much to add aside from: I use them both with equal frequency -- bpython is particularly handy to inspect packages and live object hierarchies, and for pastebinning snippets; ipython's docstring/help/source-view shortcuts (thing? and thing??) are indispensable.

wbg Over a year ago

being able to use vi keybindings is probably the number one reason I use ipython.

baxx Over a year ago

is this answer still current? There's been a lot of time passed

Sven Marnach Over a year ago

@baxx I don't know, but ipython is definitely the more popular option.

Teun Zengerink · Accepted Answer · 2015-05-13 10:36:59Z

38

IPython Notebook (since 0.12) is a killer feature.

edited May 13, 2015 at 10:36

Teun Zengerink

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answered Dec 22, 2011 at 21:31

matlabdbuser

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1 Comment

Red Pill Over a year ago

ipython rocks. for use cases where bpython did fit better than ipython though I prefer this: github.com/jonathanslenders/ptpython. Faster output than bpython curtsies mode and ansi color output works.

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