The blog post details the author's positive experience using the Python Language Server (PyLS) with the Kate text editor. They highlight PyLS's speed and helpful features like code completion, signature hints, and "go to definition," which significantly improve the coding workflow. The post provides clear instructions for installing and configuring PyLS with Kate, emphasizing the ease of setup using the built-in LSP client. The author concludes that this combination offers a lightweight yet powerful Python development environment, praising Kate's responsiveness and PyLS's rich feature set.
This blog post, titled "Kate and Python Language Server," by Akselmo, details the author's journey and eventual success in configuring the Kate text editor to leverage the Python Language Server (PyLS) for enhanced Python development. The author begins by expressing their appreciation for Kate's speed and responsiveness, particularly when compared to more resource-intensive editors like VS Code. They highlight the desire to retain Kate's performance advantages while incorporating advanced features offered by Language Server Protocol (LSP) implementations, specifically focusing on Python.
The post outlines the initial challenges faced in setting up PyLS within Kate. The author describes troubleshooting the LSP client plugin for Kate, emphasizing the importance of correctly configuring the path to the pylsp
executable. They detail the process of installing python-lsp-server
using pipx
, a tool designed for isolating Python applications, which proved crucial for resolving initial configuration issues. This included ensuring the proper functioning of pylsp
by running it directly from the command line and verifying the output.
Furthermore, the post delves into the intricacies of LSP configuration within Kate. The author explains the necessity of specifying the TCP port for communication between Kate and the LSP server. They walk through the steps of setting up the LSP client in Kate, including selecting "PyLS" as the language server and defining the appropriate command to launch the server, complete with the necessary port argument. This detailed explanation provides a clear, step-by-step guide for readers to replicate the configuration process.
Finally, the author celebrates their success in achieving a fully functional PyLS integration with Kate. They express satisfaction with the resulting setup, which provides them with code completion, linting, and other intelligent features powered by PyLS, all while maintaining Kate's lightweight and responsive nature. The post concludes by implying that the author intends to further explore and potentially document configurations for other language servers, suggesting a continued interest in maximizing Kate's capabilities through LSP integration.
Summary of Comments ( 9 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43875134
Hacker News users generally praised the Kate editor and its LSP integration. Several commenters highlighted Kate's speed and responsiveness, especially compared to VS Code. Some pointed out specific features they appreciated, like its vim-mode and the ability to easily debug plugins. A few users mentioned alternative editors or plugin setups, but the overall sentiment was positive towards Kate as a lightweight yet powerful option for Python development with LSP support. A couple of commenters noted the author's clear writing style and helpful screenshots.
The Hacker News post titled "Kate and Python LSP" sparked a small but focused discussion with 7 comments. Several commenters shared their experiences and preferences regarding IDEs and Language Server Protocol (LSP) implementations.
One commenter expressed strong satisfaction with Kate, highlighting its speed, the effectiveness of its LSP implementation, and its modal editing capabilities. They mentioned using it with Python and C++ LSP and finding it superior to VS Code in terms of responsiveness, especially for larger projects. They also appreciated the ability to customize Kate extensively.
Another user specifically praised the Python LSP implementation in Kate, noting its excellent performance and stability. They mentioned using it professionally without any significant issues.
A different commenter expressed their general appreciation for Kate, describing it as "really good" and highlighting its speed, stability, and resource efficiency. They contrasted it favorably with VS Code, which they perceived as resource-intensive.
Another individual pointed out the benefits of using Kate or other LSP-compatible editors alongside a powerful terminal, emphasizing the flexibility and power of such a setup. They particularly noted the advantage of using tmux for managing multiple terminal sessions.
One commenter mentioned their transition from VS Code to Helix, driven by a desire for a more minimalist and keyboard-centric editing experience. While they found the transition challenging initially, they ultimately became comfortable with Helix. However, they also expressed interest in exploring Kate, given the positive comments in the thread.
The conversation also touched on the LSP implementations for other languages. One commenter specifically mentioned their positive experience with the Rust Analyzer LSP, highlighting its speed and comprehensive features.
Finally, one comment simply echoed the positive sentiment towards Kate's LSP integration.