# New PYNQ-Z2 user basic questions

**URL:** <https://discuss.pynq.io/t/new-pynq-z2-user-basic-questions/6227>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [October 24, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://discuss.pynq.io/t/new-pynq-z2-user-basic-questions/6227 "2023-10-24T23:14:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bitrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/74df32/32.png) [@bitrot](https://discuss.pynq.io/u/bitrot)\
**Post date:** [October 24, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://discuss.pynq.io/t/new-pynq-z2-user-basic-questions/6227/1 "2023-10-24T23:14:26Z")

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Hello,  
I just finished setting up my new PYNQ-Z2 board using 3.01 image.  
I plan on customizing the FPGA and writing Pyhton to control some test & measurement equipment (via GPIB ports) and interfacing with ADC/DAC devices via a few dedicated SPI channels.  
I Was wondering if I have to use Jupyter & Notebooks as my development environment?  
What is the best alternative?  
Thanks

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**Author:** ![marioruiz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discuss.pynq.io/marioruiz/32/2177_2.png) [@marioruiz](https://discuss.pynq.io/u/marioruiz)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 6:13pm UTC](https://discuss.pynq.io/t/new-pynq-z2-user-basic-questions/6227/2 "2023-10-25T18:13:34Z")

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Hi @bitrot,

Welcome to the PYNQ community.

> [@bitrot](#):
>
> I Was wondering if I have to use Jupyter & Notebooks as my development environment?

Can you clarify which part are you referring to for “development environment”?

Mario

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**Author:** ![bitrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/74df32/32.png) [@bitrot](https://discuss.pynq.io/u/bitrot)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 4:04pm UTC](https://discuss.pynq.io/t/new-pynq-z2-user-basic-questions/6227/3 "2023-10-27T16:04:53Z")

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Hi Mario,  
I read that the recommended development platform for PYNQ is Jupyter Notebooks. I was wondering if there’s another methodology.

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**Author:** ![marioruiz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discuss.pynq.io/marioruiz/32/2177_2.png) [@marioruiz](https://discuss.pynq.io/u/marioruiz)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 5:16pm UTC](https://discuss.pynq.io/t/new-pynq-z2-user-basic-questions/6227/4 "2023-10-27T17:16:57Z")

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Hi @bitrot,

For the software part we recommend Jupyter Notebooks. You can also use the Vitis embedded [Vitis Embedded (SDK)](https://www.xilinx.com/products/design-tools/vitis/vitis-embedded.html)

For the overlay development, you will always need Vivado.

Mario

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**Author:** ![bitrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/74df32/32.png) [@bitrot](https://discuss.pynq.io/u/bitrot)\
**Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 5:36pm UTC](https://discuss.pynq.io/t/new-pynq-z2-user-basic-questions/6227/5 "2023-10-27T17:36:28Z")

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Thanks for the feedback.  
I read recently that Vivado is now included in Vitis. Is that true?

Also, can I just write Python code using my favorite Python IDE and then run them on the Pynq-Z2 ?