FastAPI – IDE Support

In this article, we will explain FastAPI-IDE support using PyCharm and VS Studio. FastAPI, a state-of-the-art Python web framework, streamlines the construction of robust REST APIs, simplifying development phases. Leveraging an integrated development environment (IDE) further enhances effectiveness and the development environment.

An IDE is a software application offering a set of tools and features beyond a simple text editor, transforming how we interact with code. For FastAPI development, an IDE provides indispensable support, making it a crucial tool for building robust and scalable APIs.

Throughout this article, we will guide you through the steps of installing and utilizing an IDE. We’ll explore various IDE features, delve into the feature lists of Visual Studio Code IDE and PyCharm, and ultimately understand the advantages of using IDEs.

What is Visual Studio Code IDE?

Visual Studio Code utilizes type hints to offer autocomplete suggestions during code writing by analyzing type annotations and combining them with the code context. Type hints, also referred to as type annotations, are comments embedded in the code specifying the data types of variables, parameters, and return values.

Installation:

• Install VS Code on Windows
• Install VS Code on Ubuntu

What is PyCharm IDE?

PyCharm, a robust integrated development environment (IDE) tailored for the Python programming language, offers powerful features for streamlined coding. Ensure PyCharm is installed by following these steps on various operating systems:

Installation:

• Install on windows
• Install on Ubuntu
• Install on mac

IDEs for FastAPI Development

Visual Studio Code (VS Studio Code) and PyCharm are prominent Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) that offer robust features for FastAPI development. Both IDEs provide the necessary features for effective development:

Example :This code uses FastAPI to create a web API. It defines a route (“/greet/”) that takes a query parameter “user” and responds with a personalized greeting. The input is transformed to capitalize the username, and the response is a formatted welcome message.

Python3

from fastapi import FastAPI

app = FastAPI()

@app.get("/greet/")
def greet_user(user: str):
    greeting = f"Hello, {user.capitalize()}! Welcome to GeeksForGeeks"
    return greeting.title()

run the below command

uvicorn main:app --reload

Output :

Output

Difference between VS Code and PyCharm for FastAPI Development

In this table we will compatre the features between VS code vs PyCharm for FastAPI Development on the basis of some features which are common in both VS Studio and PyCharm.

Feature	Visual Studio Code	PyCharm
Code Completion	Provides completion for FastAPI-specific keywords, functions, and classes.	More comprehensive, includes type hints and documentation snippets. Less customizable.
Type Checking	Performs basic type checks and code inspection for potential errors. Basic functionality.	Integrated type checking for enhanced type safety and code correctness. Advanced capabilities.
Syntax Highlighting	Highlights FastAPI-specific syntax for improved readability. Less customizable	Provides color-coded syntax highlighting for better code understanding. Customizable options available.
Debugging Features	Offers debugging features like breakpoints, step-by-step execution, and variable inspection. Comprehensive debugger.	Provides advanced debugging capabilities, including remote debugging, code coverage analysis, and expression evaluation. Powerful debugger
Extensions	Supports extensions for enhanced development, including linting tools and code formatting plugins. More customizable.	Offers various extensions, such as debugging tools, code completion plugins, and linting tools. More extensive range.
Pros	Lightweight, versatile, and highly customizable. Quick startup, efficient for small projects. Huge community support with many expansions.	Dedicated Python tools, extensive features, and comprehensive debugging and profiling tools. Extensive Python support.
Cons	Core lacks specialized Python tools, requires extensions for specific features.	Resource-intensive with a long startup time. Costly (Professional Edition).

Benefits of using an IDE

• IDEs significantly enhance the coding process, making it more efficient with features like automatic code completion, syntax highlighting, and refactoring tools. They contribute to writing organized and durable code through features such as automatic code formatting and refactoring tools.
• IDEs aid in catching errors early in the software development lifecycle by offering functionalities like code review and debuggers.
• They assist in managing coding projects effectively through features like project exploration, version control, and task management.

Conclusion

VS Code is user-friendly and versatile, while PyCharm offers more advanced and extensive capabilities. The choice between the two depends on personal preferences and needs. For those seeking powerful development tools and advanced features, PyCharm is a strong choice. If a lightweight, customizable, and free IDE is preferred, VS Code may be a better fit.