#345: Some Big Time Releases

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Michael #1: Cython 3.0

• Long in development, the new major release of the Python-to-C compiler sheds legacy Python support and readies Cython developers for big changes in Python.
• Cython 3 cleans up and modernizes Cython.
• Pure Python mode allows Python developers to use their existing Python linting and code analysis tools on Cython.

Brian #2: Reading code : An important but seldom-discussed skill

• Eric Matthes
• A cool walk through of several techniques to read code
• Strategies
  • Ignore function definitions
    • And in the example, also ignore comments
  • Simplify repetitive blocks
    • Examples shows mentally lumping a bunch of print statements into “print message”
  • Utilize IDE tools, like folding to hide functions your not looking at
• Also includes a note about writing readable code.
• Notes:
  • People believe your function and variable names, they should be descriptive, and they should not be deceptive.

Michael #3: Major new version of MicroPython: v1.20.0

• via Matt Trentini
• >10 months, >1000 mainline commits from >100 contributors
• This release of MicroPython introduces a new lightweight package manager called mip.
• In the MicroPython runtime, core/built-in types have been compressed by only including in the C-level type struct as many slots for C function pointers as is needed for a given type →
  • Any third-party C extensions will need to be updated to work with this change.
• Massive list of detailed changes.

Brian #4: Advanced Python Tips for Development

• Scofield Idehen
• There’s 15 in the article, here’s a few
  • 1 & 2. Use List Comprehensions and Generator Expressions.
    • It’s cool to see them side by side
  • 3. enumerate() is fun
  • 5. Embrace zip(). It’s weird, but very useful.
  • 12. Utilize slots to Reduce Memory Usage

Extras

Brian:

• Hear the story behind the quote “I came for the language, but I stayed for the community.” and learn about fountain pens, tea, and a Murderbot, on this week‘s Python People.

Michael:

• Search (LLM like) Talk Python: explore-talk-python-to-me.streamlit.app by Aguss

Joke:

• You’re full stack now
• Seriously, take the HTMX course :)