How to Use Garbage Collection for Efficient Memory Management in Python

What are all the different versions of Python? You may have heard of Cython, Brython, PyPy, or others and wondered where they fit into the Python landscape. This week on the show, Christopher Trudeau is here, bringing another batch of PyCoder’s Weekly articles and projects.

Christopher shares an article from the Bite Code blog about all the different forms that Python can take. CPython is the reference implementation of the language, which is what we usually discuss. He lists several alternative projects and the use cases.

We also discuss a recent Real Python tutorial about IPython. IPython is an interactive Python shell from the team that developed Jupyter Notebooks. It includes a set of IDE-like features and unique magic commands. The tutorial digs into using the tool to learn more about Python and explore your code.

We cover several other articles and projects from the Python community, including several news updates, the state of WASI support for CPython, how Python uses garbage collection, a discussion about the current AI echo chamber, an async Python web microframework, a stand-alone CSV editor, and a project for identifying unused dependencies to avoid a bloated virtual environment.

This week’s episode is brought to you by Scout APM.

Topics:

• 00:00:00 – Introduction
• 00:02:19 – Python 3.12.0 Beta 4 Released
• 00:02:53 – Django in Action - Christopher’s Book
• 00:04:28 – State of WASI Support for CPython: June 2023
• 00:08:32 – What’s the Deal With CPython, PyPy, MicroPython, Jython…?
• 00:12:10 – Sponsor: Scout APM
• 00:12:57 – Unlock IPython’s Magical Toolbox for Your Coding Journey
• 00:18:33 – How Python Uses Garbage Collection
• 00:21:31 – Video Course Spotlight
• 00:23:04 – Are People in Tech Inside an AI Echo Chamber?
• 00:39:39 – quart: An Async Python Web Microframework
• 00:41:33 – Modern CSV: CSV Editor/Viewer
• 00:43:09 – creosote: Identify Unused Dependencies
• 00:45:09 – Thanks and Goodbye

News:

• Python 3.12.0 Beta 4 Released
• Django in Action - Christopher’s Book - Manning Early Access Program

Show Links:

• State of WASI Support for CPython: June 2023 – This post from Brett Cannon covers the current state of WebAssembly targets in Python.
• What’s the Deal With CPython, PyPy, MicroPython, Jython…? – This comprehensive article introduces you to all the different ways that you can Python. CPython isn’t the only choice. Learn what else is out there and why you might choose an alternative.
• Unlock IPython’s Magical Toolbox for Your Coding Journey – IPython is a powerful tool that can prove useful on your journey to mastering Python. Its friendly interface will enable you to comfortably take control of your learning. In this tutorial, you’ll cover the basic concepts of using IPython and learn how its features can make coding efficient.
• How Python Uses Garbage Collection – This article outlines how Python stores variables as references and how that relates to memory management

Discussion:

• Are People in Tech Inside an AI Echo Chamber?
• Inside the AI Factory: the humans that make tech seem human - The Verge
• Is ChatGPT getting worse over time? Study claims yes, but others aren’t sure | Ars Technica
• How Is ChatGPT’s Behavior Changing over Time?

Projects:

• quart: An Async Python Web Microframework
• Modern CSV: CSV Editor/Viewer
• creosote: Identify unused dependencies and avoid a bloated virtual environment

Additional Links:

• Episode #154: Targeting WebAssembly Platforms & Distilling a Minimum Viable Python – The Real Python Podcast
• IPython 8.14.0 documentation

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