Name: Sean Handley
E-mail: talyn256@sucs.org

Title: PyDev - Python for Eclipse
Synopsis: Improve the Python plugin, PyDev, for Eclipse.

Benefits to the community: Programmers can use their favourite language, Python, with their favourite IDE, Eclipse. This should make coding more enjoyable and easier, since Python is a powerful and enjoyable language and Eclipse is a solid, functional IDE.

Deliverables:

- Work on the PyDev plugin and implement as many of the requested/required features as possible (http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=85796&atid=577332).
- Specifically, work on these features:
  - Automatically reload changes in the debugger when a file is changed. 
  - Evaluate selection (hovering) to show the debugger values
  - Create a break for exception
  - Making calltips after '(' or ','
  - Make the tab key automatically jump from parameter to parameter 
  - When Ctrl is pressed, the parameters should not be added
  - Discover instance values in code-completion
  - Analyse functions to get the code-completion to know what can be used to complete a method
  - Make a Python project explorer, such as the one for Java

Project Details:

I have discussed this project with the current maintainer, Fabio Zadrozny (fabiofz@gmail.com), and he is prepared to be the mentor.

The project will be implemented in Java via the Eclipse Plugin project manager and the current PyDev code repository.

It will probably not be possible to deliver all of the features mentioned but I would like to make a good attempt and deliver as many as I can.

Schedule: I can begin working on the project part-time between now and June 12th, at which point I can work full time until it's completed, hopefully by the end of July.
Availability: 20-40 hours per week (no other commitments, jobs or holidays planned).

Bio:

I'm a computer science undergraduate, currently coming to the end of my second year at the University of Wales, Swansea, UK.

I have a keen interest in cryptography and IT security and have studied the topics in some depth, both academically and personally. I also have a broader passion for technology, open-source and programming and love coding and problem solving, hence my studying computer science.

I tend to do most of my programming in C and Java but am currently enjoying learning Python and Ruby. I also have a working knowledge of C++, Haskell, Prolog, PHP and good experience with DHTML, XHTML, CSS and JavaScript.

I've been involved in several small academic software projects, mostly solo but also a couple of group projects during which I became competent with SVN and CVS.

I have significant experience with Java, Swing, AWT and Eclipse and use all of them on a regular basis, Java being the language with which I am most proficient and Eclipse being my favourite IDE (hence this project being so appealing to me).

I have only recently begun learning Python but I find it a fun language to use and enjoy coding in it. A project like this would help me hone my skills with the language, as well as furthering my Java programming abilities.

I'm an enthusiastic problem solver and very much enjoy learning new topics. I would be thrilled to be involved with a project as respectable as Python and am prepared to devote a lot of time and effort.