IDLE (which comes with Python) is an IDE. It simplifies testing to the point where you pretty much just hit F5 then hit enter to give it permission to save, and you see the result right away. Alt-tab brings the file you are editing back to the front when you are ready to fix the bug or continue hacking. I've used it on Windows and Linux and the experience is pretty much exactly the same either way. There is also a help menu which takes you to the documentation website where you can search for whatever you are looking for.