iPython Code Completion / Intellisense on Dot Possible?

Question

As someone trying to learn the ins and outs of Python (with emphasis on scientific computing - ie: pandas, numpy, scikit-learn), most of the gurus out there seem to recommend and use iPython notebooks. My biggest sticking point as a beginner/intermediate coder is that I NEED code completion / intellisense -like functionality from an IDE to learn the function parameters. I'm not hard-wired yet to just know what parameters are available at my current development.

In iPython, I noticed I can press Tab to show the drop-down of options (seen below as pd.) but I don't want to have to hit each time. That's not user-friendly for my needs. Instead, I would like it to show only available classes and methods when I press dot.

Secondly, I notice that if I did say pd.read_csv(<TAB>, I get a lot more options than are the actual parameters in read_csv.

Question: Can iPython automatically show accurate code completion options instantly after pressing dot / period? Also, is there a way to configure it to only show the available function parameters when within a function?

To make this question super-specific, I'm not asking about using any other IDE; I'm asking very specifically in regards to just iPython and wondering if there's a way to set some kind of configuration to achieve accurate "dot" display options instantly when pressing "dot" (no time delay).

Example below shows Desktop which is obviously not a parameter of pd.read_csv().

Answer 1

You can press <Shift>-<Tab> to get a tooltip showing the function's signature:

Alternatively, invoking zip? opens a documentation pane at the bottom of the window.

As far as having the tooltip open automatically, I'm unsure. I'd guess that it isn't possible via configuration.

Answer 2

Almost 3 years later, I've finally come across a potential solution.

Answer: Install nbextensions and enable the Hinterland extension.

Enable code autocompletion menu for every keypress in a code cell, instead of only calling it with tab.

Here's what you do:

1. pip install jupyter_contrib_nbextensions
2. jupyter contrib nbextension install --user
3. Start jupyter notebook (browser launches)
4. One of the tabs should now show "Nbextensions"
5. There, you will find "Hinterland". Check the box to enable.

Hinterland has some adjustable options like:

• hinterland.hint_delay: delay in milliseconds between keypress & hint request.
• hinterland.enable_at_start: Whether to enable hinterland's continuous hinting when notebook is first opened, or if false, only when selected from the help-menu item.
• hinterland.hint_inside_comments: Whether to request hints while typing code comments. Defaults to false.
• Other regex options: hinterland.exclude_regexp, hinterland.include_regexp, hinterland.tooltip_regexp

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