Python Updates: Learning, Tooling and Security

Weekly Python News and Ecosystem Highlights

This episode of Python Bytes covers a diverse range of topics, from handy documentation resources and project maintenance strategies to security auditing tools. The hosts discuss essential tools and knowledge for anyone working within the modern Python 3 landscape.

Essential Resources and Learning

• Tiny Python 3.6 Notebook: A new practical reference by Matt Harrison that boils down language syntax into a concise format, perfect for training follow-ups.
• Python Resource Lists: A curated collection by Bob Belderbos and Julian Sequeira, offering a structured path from beginner to professional, including recommended books and podcasts.
• Elements of Python Style: An opinionated, community-driven guide that goes beyond standard PEP 8 to provide clarity on professional coding practices.

Developer Workflows and Tools

• Handling Python 2 Legacy: Anthony Shaw shares a practical guide on what to do when a project relies on an outdated package that only supports Python 2. Key steps include checking for alternatives, applying fixes, and managing stalled pull requests.
• Security Auditing: The introduction of Mongo Audit, a command-line tool designed to help developers identify security misconfigurations in MongoDB deployments, such as missing authentication or insecure port settings.

Trivia and Fun Facts

• The hosts highlight that as of February 19, 2017, Python 3 (originally codenamed Python 3000) reached exactly 3,000 days of existence, marking a significant milestone in its journey.

"Instead of just throwing up your hands, if a few people go through these steps on the popular packages, that solves it for the world. It solves it for the whole community."