Arduino microcontrollers have added Python to the range of compatible programming languages. Others can be used, and not just Arduino's own IDE app.

I do use Arduino IDE when I need too, but it is a tool like anything else to get the job done. I don’t complain about it. Anyway a standard text editor works fine for me — C, Python, etc ...

The Arduino IDE lets you use an external editor – see prefs->”Use external editor” The trick to writing large programs in the Arduino IDE is to split it into various “.h” files (nb.