Enhancing Productivity with PyCharm Shortcuts

PyCharm is a powerful integrated development environment (IDE) for Python, and knowing its shortcuts can significantly enhance your productivity. Below is an article detailing various useful shortcuts based on the provided images.

View Recent Files

To quickly access recently opened files, press ⌘ E (Mac). This will open a list of your recent files, allowing you to switch between them effortlessly.

Additionally, you can view only the edited files by checking the “Show edited only” option in the Recent Files window.

Highlight Usages Within a File

Highlighting usages of a specific variable or function within the current file can help you track where it is used. Press Shift ⌘ F7 (Mac) to highlight usages.

Navigate through the highlighted usages with ⌘ G and Shift ⌘ G (Mac). Press Esc to remove highlighting.

Quick Definition

To view the definition of a symbol quickly without leaving your current context, press ⌥ space or ⌘ Y (Mac). This opens a pop-up with the definition of the symbol.

Navigate to a Symbol

To quickly open any class, field, or function, use the shortcut ⌥ ⌘ O (Mac). Start typing the name of the symbol, and PyCharm will filter the list accordingly.

Refactor This

Refactoring code is an essential part of development. PyCharm makes it easy with the Refactor This option. Position the caret at a symbol and press ⌃ T (Mac) to see the list of available refactoring.

Camel Case in Search Everywhere

Searching for files, classes, or symbols using camel case can save time. Double Shift to open the Search Everywhere popup and start typing using camel case to filter the list.

Wildcards in Search Everywhere

Use text patterns in Search Everywhere with wildcards for more flexible searches. Use * for any number of characters and space to mark the end of a pattern.

Verify Regular Expressions

To verify that your regular expression is correct, place the caret within the expression, press ⌥ ⏎ (Mac) and select Check RegExp. This popup allows you to test your regex against a sample string.

View Inheritance Hierarchy

To see the inheritance hierarchy for a selected class, press ⌃ H (Mac). You can also invoke this view directly from the editor to see the hierarchy for the currently edited class.

Recent Search History

When searching for a text string in a file, you can use the recent search history for quick access. Press ⌘ F (Mac) to open the search bar, then press ⌥ ↓ (Mac) to show the list of recent entries.

View Recent Changes

To quickly review recent changes in your project, press ⌃ Shift C (Mac). This opens a list of recent changes, making it easy to track modifications in your project.

Search for Code Inspections

To quickly find and run a code inspection, press ⌥ Shift ⌘ I (Mac). Start typing the name of the inspection or its group, select from the suggestions, and specify the scope.

Override Methods

You can easily override methods of the base class by pressing ⌃ O (Mac). To implement methods of the interfaces or the abstract base class that the current class implements, press ⌃ I (Mac).

Camel Case in Code Completion

Narrow down a list of code completion suggestions by using camel case prefixes. This allows you to find and insert code snippets quickly.

Surround Code Fragments

Wrap a code block in useful constructs by selecting it and pressing ⌥ ⌘ T (Mac). The options available are context-sensitive based on the language you are using.

Postfix Code Completion

Postfix code completion is applied from right to left to avoid backward caret jumps when coding. Type a dot (.) after the code fragment you want to change and select the desired option. Press ⌘ J (Mac) to see the suggestion list with postfix templates.

Select In

To quickly select the currently edited element (class, file, method, or field) in another view, press ⌥ F1

Switch Scheme

Apply a different code style, coloring scheme, or keymap with a single keystroke by pressing ⌃ `(Mac). This allows you to switch schemes directly from the editor.

Paste from Clipboard History

To paste text that you have previously copied to the clipboard, press Shift ⌘ V (Mac). This lets you choose from a history of copied text fragments.

Show File Structure

Navigate within the current file with ⌘ F12 (Mac). This shows the list of members of the current class, allowing you to quickly jump to different elements.

By mastering these PyCharm shortcuts, you can streamline your workflow, making your coding sessions more efficient and enjoyable. Happy coding!