WebTigerPython: A Low-Floor High-Ceiling Python IDE for the Browser
The shift to BYOD (bring your own device) policies at schools requires browser-based programming tools that balance accessibility and functionality. We introduce WebTigerPython, a Python IDE combining novice-friendly features (Turtle graphics, robotics, error messages) with advanced capabilities (NumPy, Matplotlib). Its client-side execution and web worker architecture ensure non-blocking interactivity. Python code is run in WebAssembly, performing only about three times slower than native CPython but significantly faster than other web-based IDEs to which we compared it. Deployed in classrooms with 800+ daily users, WebTigerPython supports offline use, URL-based sharing of code, and aligns with existing curricula—demonstrating how web tools can rival local IDEs without compromising power or accessibility.
Authors
- Dennis Komm (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9024-1558)
- Tobias Kohn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9251-8944)
- Alexandra Maximova
- Clemens Bachmann
Institutions
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (DE)
- ETH Zurich (CH)
Publication Details
- Published
- 2026-02-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1145/3770762.3772670
- Primary Topic
- Computational Physics and Python Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00