Positron: The Next Generation IDE for R and Python

Posit, formerly RStudio, has released a beta of Positron, a next-generation data science development environment based on Visual Studio Code. This new IDE is designed specifically for both R and Python, making it an exciting development for data scientists and programmers alike.

Integrated Development Environment for R and Python

Positron is packaged out of the box to be easier to set up, especially for R users but also for Python. There’s no need to install extensions in order to get R up and running in Positron, as is the case with VS Code. Likewise, you don’t have to install an extension for Positron to run Python. In fact, you’re cautioned not to install the usual VS Code extensions for R and Python in Positron, since the IDE already comes with that functionality built-in.

“The Data Explorer is intended to complement code-first exploration of data, allowing you to display data in a spreadsheet-like grid, temporarily filter and sort data, and provide useful summary statistics directly inside of Positron.” - Positron wiki

Positron has a built-in, easy-to-use data and variable explorer, which includes options like sorting and filtering data frames. It can be accessed by clicking an icon, for both R and Python data. This feature is particularly useful for data scientists who want to quickly explore and visualize their data.

Data Explorer in Positron

Other welcome features in Positron include cmd/ctrl + enter running one line of a Python script and then moving your cursor to the next line of code. This can be surprisingly helpful for quick code examination outside of the debug tool. If you are working on a project that combines both R and Python scripts, the IDE also easily pops up the correct console when you switch between scripts in both languages.

Positron is still an early-stage project under active development, so users should keep that in mind when weighing how and when to try it out. However, with its ease of use and powerful features, Positron is definitely worth checking out.

Python and R Integration in Positron