Python Updates: PGCLI, PaperMill, and Windows Store

Overview

This episode of Python Bytes is recorded live from PyCon 2019. The hosts and special guests discuss modern tools for development, improvements to the CPython ecosystem, and major accessibility updates for Python on the Microsoft Windows platform.

Key Topics

Command Line Productivity with PGCLI

• The hosts highlight PGCLI, a powerful command-line interface for PostgreSQL.
• Key features include syntax highlighting and autocomplete functionality, providing a better developer experience than standard GUI tools.
• Built using the Python prompt toolkit, ensuring compatibility with both Linux/macOS and Windows.

Scaling Notebooks with PaperMill

• PaperMill is introduced as a tool that transforms Jupyter Notebooks into parameterized, executable functions.
• Use cases mentioned include large-scale ETL processes (running thousands of notebooks daily at Netflix) and generating automated reports for security malware research.

"Instead of just having a log entry... what you get is actually the notebook... explaining what it was doing before it died."

The Future of Python Development

• The episode highlights the 2019 Python Language Summit, focusing on increased community involvement and planning for Python 3.9.
• Face-to-face interaction at the summit is credited for providing high-bandwidth communication that surpasses traditional GitHub issue tracking.

Python on the Windows Store

• Steve Della discusses the arrival of official Python releases in the Windows Store, enabling a one-click install experience that auto-updates major versions.
• This update significantly lowers the barrier to entry for beginners and students.
• While the store version is currently 64-bit, traditional installers remain available for users requiring specific versions, 32-bit architecture, or strict environment control.