PyCoder’s Weekly | Issue #349

Python's 2018 in Review, Top Python Libraries, and More

#349 – JANUARY 1, 2019

Happy New Year!

It’s been an amazing 2018 for Python and I can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store for us.

With so much growth and excitement in the space I’m really enthusiastic for the future of Python and our global community.

For this week’s issue it felt appropriate to include a couple of retrospectives and recap articles. From the new PyPI website launching to Guido stepping down as BDFL, a lot has happened after all.

So here’s to a successful 2019 for you! Happy Pythoning!

— Dan Bader, Editor

Python “Year in Review” 2018: Top 10 Stories
In this podcast episode I’m joining Michael Kennedy and Brian Okken for a Pythonic 2018 retrospective. We had a ton of fun recapping last year’s main events and our top 10 stories and developments. Join us on this episode when we count them down.
TALK PYTHON podcast

Python Has Brought Computer Programming to a Vast New Audience
I love the fact that in 2018 we articles about Python show up in publications like The Economist. This is a nice little (mainstream) writeup of Python’s history so far and Guido van Rossum’s personal journey as the language’s creator.
ECONOMIST.COM

Why MIT Now Uses Python Instead of Scheme for Its Undergraduate CS Program (2009)
In my mind, much of this is still relevant as of 2018. Also check out the related discussion on Hacker News (2018).
CHAS EMERICK

Python Basics: A Practical Introduction to Python 3

Make the leap from Beginner to Intermediate in Python with this complete curriculum freshly updated for Python 3.7. Includes exercises, interactive quizzes, and sample projects so you’ll always know what to focus on next. The first half of this book is a quick yet thorough overview of all the Python fundamentals. The second half focuses on solving interesting, real-world problems in a practical manner using Python. Early Access discount (47% off) available for a limited time only →
REAL PYTHONbook sponsor

Setting Up Stripe Connect With Django
This intermediate-level Django tutorial looks at how to integrate Stripe Connect into a Django application to process and manage payments on behalf of others.
TESTDRIVEN.IO

Make a Location-Based Web App With Django and GeoDjango
In this step-by-step Python tutorial, you’ll learn how to use Django and GeoDjango to build a location-based web application from scratch. You’ll be building a simple nearby shops application that lists the shops closest to a user’s location.
REAL PYTHON

Generating Doom Levels From Robot Vacuum Floor Plans
The title says it all… Fun fact: The project is called “DOOMBA.” :-)
RICH WHITEHOUSE

Discussions

Python Jobs

Python Software Engineer
RHYTHM DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS, INC 📍 PALO ALTO, CA

Senior Python Developer
ADVERITY GMBH 📍 VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Backend Software Engineer
GASKET GAMES CORP 📍 VANCOUVER, CANADA

Head of Engineering
FINDKEEP.LOVE 📍 REMOTE

Cybersecurity Firm Seeks Backend Lead
AON CYBER SOLUTIONS 📍 NY OR LA

More Python Jobs >>>

Articles & Tutorials

Python String Formatting Best Practices
Learn the four main approaches to string formatting in Python, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. You’ll also get a simple rule of thumb for how to pick the best general purpose string formatting approach in your own programs.
REAL PYTHON

How Do You Make Open Source a Better Place?
Guido van Rossum received the “Groundbreaker Award” at the 2018 Oracle Code One conference and talks about how to make OSS better.
ALEXA MORALES • Shared by Ricky White

2018 Trending English Searches on Google Analyzed With Python
This article examines the trending Google searches 2018 versus last year, using a Python script that pulls the relevant data from Google Trends.
CHUA PING SHIUAN • Shared by Chua Ping Shiuan

Build Python Microservices With Docker, Flask, and ReactJS

In this step-by-step course you’ll learn how to quickly spin up a reproducible development environment with Docker to manage a number of Python microservices. Once the app is up and running locally, you’ll see how to deploy and scale it on AWS. Learn more →
TESTDRIVEN.IOsponsor

Administration Features of JupyterHub
You can use JupyterHub to deploy a multi user workshop environment where each user is given access to their own interactive Python shell environment in their web browser. This follow up article explains how course instructors can monitor and control user sessions.
GRAHAM DUMPLETON

Inside a Python Dict
An interactively explorable explanation. This is cool!
JUST-TAKING-A-RIDE.COM

Top 7 Libraries and Packages of the Year for Data Science and AI: Python & R
In this list, Favio covers a wide range of libraries, repos, and packages that can help you be a better data scientist with Python.
FAVIO VÁZQUEZ

An A-Z of Useful Python Tricks
A grab bag of useful little tricks you can use for your next project or script.
PETER GLEESON

5 Easy Coding Projects to Do With Kids This Holiday
5 coding projects you can do in an hour, or a weekend over the holidays. They are suitable for young kids up to teens. Nice list!
ANTHONY SHAW

Creating a Custom Landing Page in Sphinx
How to create fully custom landing pages with the power of Jinja and HTML+CSS using the Sphinx static site generator.
OFOSOS.ORG

Asyncio in Python 3.7
Quick overview of the async IO changes shipped in Python 3.7.
CRISTIAN MEDINA

Projects & Code

crossCobra: Python IDE Using PyQt5
A brand new Python IDE/editor developed from scratch using PyQT. Check out the related discussion on Reddit.
GITHUB.COM/MORTEN1982

sherlock: Find Usernames Across Social Networks
GITHUB.COM/SDUSHANTHA

flair: Framework for State-Of-The-Art Natural Language Processing (NLP)
GITHUB.COM/ZALANDORESEARCH

nevergrad: Python Toolbox for Performing Gradient-Free Optimization
GITHUB.COM/FACEBOOKRESEARCH

11 Interactive Jupyter/Python Demos of Popular Machine Learning Algorithms
Python examples of popular machine learning algorithms with interactive Jupyter demos and math explanations.
GITHUB.COM/TREKHLEB

logpy: Logic Programming in Python
GITHUB.COM/LOGPY

Python Job Search & Job Board
Looking to start 2019 with a career change? Find your dream Python job with PythonJobsHQ’s aggregated job listings and search engine for the best jobs in the industry. Brought to you by the creators of the PyCoder’s Weekly Newsletter.
PYTHONJOBSHQ.COM

📆🐍 Upcoming Python Events

PyDelhi User Group Meetup
January 5, 2019

Fox Valley Python User Group
January 7, 2019

Melbourne Python Users Group, Australia
January 7, 2019

PiterPy Meetup
January 8, 2019

London Django Meetup
January 8, 2019

Leipzig Python User Group Meeting
January 8, 2019

Dominican Republic Python User Group
January 8, 2019