How to show Function Arguments in Pycharm, other IDEs? (like in Excel...)

Question

Want to show function arguments (like the "arguments" that show up in Excel when one types a formula) in any python IDE:

type:
=find()
# and this pops up:

=find(find_text, within_text, [start_num])

you will get all your arguments, in the appropriate order, right away! no need to recall 10000000 formula's syntaxes!

In Excel, we see a series of parameters for the FIND function that are very helpful; syntax, variable requirements, so forth. I want to do this in Pycharm/python too;

suggestions?

Tried googling, searching in pycharm/s options. Is this just not feasible in Python?

thanks

Answer 1

In PyCharm:

Type the name of the function with the brackets (), and then place your cursor inside the brackets and type Ctrl + P; This will show your the parameters for the function.

Here is a short gif showing this:

In VSCode

Vscode uses the same keyboard shortcut as IntelliJ (and by extension, Pycharm). If the shortcut does not work, you can install the key bindings extension here

Example:

In a REPL

Open a python repl and type:

help (object)

Where object can be the name of a function or class, or any object as the name suggests.

Ex:

➜ python                                 
Python 3.7.1 (default, Dec  1 2018, 03:00:51) 
[GCC 7.3.0] on linux
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> help(sum)

Help on built-in function sum in module builtins:

sum(iterable, start=0, /) Return the sum of a 'start' value (default: 0) plus an iterable of numbers

When the iterable is empty, return the start value.
This function is intended specifically for use with numeric values and may
reject non-numeric types.

>>> def f():
...     return 3
... 
>>> help(f)

Help on function f in module __main__:

f()

>>>

The help page pops up and you can read any documentation associated with the object.