How To See Code History In Thonny

Thonny is a popular Python IDE designed for beginners and advanced programmers alike. One useful feature that often goes unnoticed is the ability to track and view code history, which can help you recover lost changes, review past edits, or debug more effectively. This guide will walk you through how to access and manage your code history in Thonny.

Why Check Code History in Thonny?

• Recover Lost Changes: Retrieve accidentally deleted or modified code.
• Debug Efficiently: Compare code versions to identify where errors were introduced.
• Track Progress: See how your code has evolved over time.

Tools You’ll Need

• Thonny IDE installed on your computer
• A saved Python project or script
• Basic familiarity with Python coding

Steps to See Code History in Thonny

1. Open Thonny and Load Your Project

• Launch Thonny IDE on your computer.
• Open the Python script you want to review.
• Make sure the file is saved regularly to track changes effectively.

2. Enable Code History via Version Control (Git Integration)

While Thonny doesn’t have a traditional “undo history” panel, you can track code changes using version control features:

• Go to “Tools” in the menu bar.
• Select “Options” and navigate to the “General” tab.
• Enable “Version Control” if it’s not already active.

This feature allows you to integrate with Git, which tracks code history efficiently.

3. Use the Undo/Redo Function

For quick changes:

• Press Ctrl + Z to undo recent edits.
• Press Ctrl + Y to redo changes if needed.
• This works well for recent code edits but has limitations for longer sessions.

4. Review Code Snapshots (If Using Git)

If you’ve initialized a Git repository:

• Click on “View” → “Version Control” to open the Git panel.
• You’ll see a list of commits (saved code versions) on the left panel.
• Select a commit to view the changes made in that version.
• Use diff tools within Thonny to compare code between different commits.

5. Backup and Compare Old Files

If you don’t use Git:

• Check your Thonny backup folder (if enabled in settings).
• Compare the current file with an older saved version using Thonny’s built-in “Compare Files” feature.

Tips for Efficient Code History Management

• Save Regularly: Frequent saves help create checkpoints for easier tracking.
• Use Git for Projects: Git integration in Thonny simplifies code version management.
• Backup Settings: Enable automatic backups under “Tools > Options > General”.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Can’t See Version Control Panel?
  • Ensure it’s enabled in “Tools > Options > Version Control.”
• Undo/Redo Not Working?
  • Thonny may lose undo history after closing the file. Save frequently to avoid data loss.
• Missing Changes?
  • Check for unsaved changes or recover from backup files in your project directory.

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Conclusion

While Thonny doesn’t have a traditional code history viewer like some advanced IDEs, you can still manage and review your code history through version control integration and smart use of undo/redo features. Setting up Git within Thonny adds powerful tracking capabilities, ensuring your code is always secure and easy to review.