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Brian #1: Python built-ins worth learning


Trey Hunner
“I estimate most Python developers will only ever need about 30 built-in functions, but which 30 depends on what you’re actually doing with Python.”
“I recommend triaging your knowledge:

Things I should memorize such that I know them well
Things I should know about so I can look them up more effectively later
Things I shouldn’t bother with at all until/unless I need them one day”

all 69 built-in functions, split into

commonly known
overlooked by beginners
learn it later
maybe learn it eventually
you likely don’t need these

Highlighting some:

overlooked by beginners

sum, enumerate, zip, bool, reversed, sorted, min, max, any, all

know it’s there, but learn it later:

open, input, repr, super, property, issubclass, isinstance, hasattr, getattr, setattr, delattr, classmethod, staticmethod, next


my notes

I think getattr should be learned early on, because it’s default behavior is so useful. But can’t use it for dicts. Use mydict.get(key, default) for dictionaries.



Michael #2: Github sponsors and match


Like Patreon but for GitHub projects
2x your sponsorship: Github matches! To boost community funding, we'll match contributions up to $5,000 during a developer’s first year in GitHub Sponsors with the GitHub Sponsors Matching Fund.
100% to developers, Zero fees: GitHub will not charge fees for GitHub Sponsors.
Anyone who contributes to open source—whether through code, documentation, leadership, mentorship, design, or beyond—is eligible for sponsorship.


Brian #3: Build a REST API in 30 minutes with Django REST Framework


Bennett Garner
Very fast intro including:

Set up Django
Create a model in the database that the Django ORM will manage
Set up the Django REST Framework
Serialize the model from step 2
Create the URI endpoints to view the serialized data

Example is a simple hero db with hero name and alias.


Michael #4: Dependabot has been acquired by GitHub


Automated dependency updates: Dependabot creates pull requests to keep your dependencies secure and up-to-date.
I personally use and recommend PyUP: https://pyup.io/
How it works:

Dependabot checks for updates: Dependabot pulls down your dependency files and looks for any outdated or insecure requirements.
Dependabot opens pull requests: If any of your dependencies are out-of-date, Dependabot opens individual pull requests to update each one.
You review and merge: You check that your tests pass, scan the included changelog and release notes, then hit merge with confidence.

Here's what you need to know:

We're integrating Dependabot directly into GitHub, starting with security fix PRs ?‍♂️
You can still install Dependabot from the GitHub Marketplace whilst we integrate it into GitHub, but it's now free of charge ?
We've doubled the size of Dependabot's team; expect lots of great improvements over the coming months ?‍??‍??‍??‍??‍??‍?

Paid accounts are now free, automatically.


Brian #5: spoof “New features planned for Python 4.0”


Charles Leifer - also known for Peewee ORM
This is funny, but painful. Is it too soon to joke about the pain of 2 to 3?
A few of my favorites

PEP8 will be updated. Line lengths will be increased to 89.5 characters. (compromise between 79 and 100)
All new libraries and standard lib modules must include the phrase "for humans" somewhere in their title.
Type-hinting has been extended to provide even fewer tangible benefits and will be called type whispering.
You can make stuff go faster by adding async before every other keyword.
Notable items left out of 4.0

Still no switch statement.
No improvements to packaging.




Michael #6: BlackSheep web framework


Fast HTTP Server/Client microframework for Python asyncio, using Cython, uvloop, and httptools.
Very Flask-like API. Interesting to consider the “popularity” of Flask vs Django in this context.
Objectives

Clean architecture and source code, following SOLID principles