IDE stands for Integrated Development Environment. It is a software application that combines commonly used developer tools into a compact GUI (graphical user interface) application. An IDE typically includes a code editor, code compiler, and code debugger with an integrated terminal. It is designed to increase developer productivity by integrating features like software editing, building, testing, and packaging in an easy-to-use application.

IDLE is an IDE for Python that has been bundled with the default implementation of the language since 1.5.2b1. It is completely written in Python and the Tkinter GUI toolkit. IDLE is intended to be a simple IDE and suitable for beginners, especially in an educational environment. It is cross-platform and avoids feature clutter. Its main features include a multi-window text editor with syntax highlighting, autocompletion, smart indent, and a Python shell with syntax highlighting. It also has an integrated debugger with stepping, persistent breakpoints, and call stack visibility.

There are many other IDEs available for Python, including PyCharm, Visual Studio Code, Eclipse with PyDev, Sublime Text, GNU Emacs, Vi/Vim, and Spyder. IDEs can help programmers develop software code efficiently and increase productivity by introducing features like editing source code, building executables, and debugging.