How to Install PyCharm on Linux

PyCharm is one of the most popular Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) for Python development. Developed by JetBrains, it offers a variety of features, including code completion, debugging, project management, and more. PyCharm is available in two editions: Community (free and open-source) and Professional (paid with additional features).

In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing PyCharm on Linux, covering both the Community and Professional editions.

Step 1: Check System Requirements

Before installing PyCharm, make sure that your system meets the minimum requirements:

• RAM: At least 4 GB (8 GB recommended).
• Disk Space: At least 2.5 GB of free space, plus additional space for caches.
• JDK: PyCharm requires a Java Development Kit (JDK). However, it usually comes bundled with its own version of JDK.

PyCharm supports various Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, and others.

Step 2: Download PyCharm

You can download PyCharm from the official JetBrains website. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the JetBrains PyCharm download page.
2. Choose your edition:
   • Community: Free and open-source.
   • Professional: Paid version with additional features such as database support and web development tools.
3. Select Linux as your operating system.
4. Click Download to get the .tar.gz package.

Step 3: Install PyCharm Using the .tar.gz File

Once you’ve downloaded the .tar.gz file, follow these steps to install PyCharm:

1. Open Terminal: Press Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard to open the terminal.
2. Navigate to the Download Folder:
   cd ~/Downloads
3. Extract the PyCharm tar.gz File: Use the following command to extract the downloaded file:
   tar -xzf pycharm-community-*.tar.gz

   (For the Professional edition, replace pycharm-community with pycharm-professional.)

4. Move the Extracted Files to /opt Directory: It is common practice to place third-party software in the /opt directory.
   sudo mv pycharm-community-* /opt/pycharm
5. Run PyCharm: Navigate to the PyCharm directory and run the pycharm.sh script:
   cd /opt/pycharm/bin ./pycharm.sh

This will launch PyCharm, and you can start setting up your IDE.

Step 4: Create a Desktop Entry for PyCharm

To make launching PyCharm more convenient, you can create a desktop entry that will add PyCharm to your system menu.

1. In PyCharm, click on Tools in the top menu.
2. Select Create Desktop Entry.
3. Check the option for “Create entry for all users” if you want it available for all users on your system.
4. Click OK.

PyCharm will now be accessible from your application menu, allowing you to launch it without using the terminal.

Step 5: Install PyCharm via Snap (Alternative Method)

If you prefer a simpler installation process, you can install PyCharm using Snap, which is supported on many Linux distributions. Snap automatically handles updates and dependencies.

1. Open the Terminal.
2. Install PyCharm Community edition with the following command:
   sudo snap install pycharm-community –classic

   Or install the Professional edition with this command:

   sudo snap install pycharm-professional –classic
3. Once installed, you can launch PyCharm from the application menu or by typing pycharm-community or pycharm-professional in the terminal.

Step 6: Initial Setup and Configuration

After launching PyCharm for the first time, you’ll need to complete a few initial setup steps:

1. Activation: If you are using the Professional edition, you will need to activate it using your JetBrains account or a license key. For the Community edition, no activation is required.
2. Configure Python Interpreter:
   • PyCharm will prompt you to select a Python interpreter. If Python is already installed on your system, PyCharm will automatically detect it.
   • You can also configure a virtual environment for your project to keep dependencies isolated.
3. Install Plugins (Optional):
   • PyCharm supports a wide range of plugins to extend its functionality. You can install additional plugins for web development, database management, and more, based on your project needs.

Step 7: Uninstalling PyCharm

If you need to uninstall PyCharm, you can follow these steps:

For the Snap version:

1. Open the terminal and run:
   sudo snap remove pycharm-community

   (For the Professional edition, use pycharm-professional instead of pycharm-community.)

For the tar.gz version:

1. Remove the PyCharm directory from /opt:
   sudo rm -rf /opt/pycharm
2. Optionally, you can also remove the configuration files from your home directory:
   rm -rf ~/.PyCharm*

Conclusion

Installing PyCharm on Linux is a simple process, whether you use the official tar.gz package or the Snap package for quicker installation and automatic updates. Once installed, PyCharm provides a powerful and flexible development environment that is ideal for Python programming, offering robust features for both beginners and professional developers. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be ready to start coding in no time.