This podcast episode delves into CPython internals, book writing, projects at Microsoft, Python's evolving internals, making Python faster, VS Code Pets, and more. The guest shares insights on Python testing tools, challenges in AI projects, creating a popular VS Code extension, and customizing pet appearances in apps.
Anthony Shaw emphasizes the value of robust testing in projects, particularly with PyTest, to ensure code reliability and facilitate user contributions.
Anthony Shaw discusses his exploration of Python internals through his book, highlighting insights into async operations, the role of C in CPython, and his focus on enhancing Python performance at Microsoft.
Deep dives
Anthony Shah's Journey to Python and Programming
Anthony Shah's journey to Python started in the middle of his career. Initially, he worked with languages like C, C++, PHP, and Java before encountering Python while stuck in a hotel due to an ear infection. This led him to contribute to a cloud obstruction library called Apache libcloud, sparking his interest in Python back in 2015. Shah's early programming interest developed during his teenage years when he invested money from his paper round into buying programming books to self-educate, highlighting his passion for self-learning and programming.
Preference for PyTest in Testing Projects
Anthony Shah values robust testing in his projects, with a particular fondness for PyTest. He emphasizes the importance of automating testing processes and ensuring robustness in code through comprehensive testing efforts. Shah's preference for PyTest extends to enhancing testing in open-source projects to facilitate contributions from users while maintaining code quality and reliability. He also mentions the significance of utilizing coverage tools to identify untested code sections and encourage thorough testing practices.
Exploring Dependency Management Tools in Python
Anthony Shah discusses his approach to Python dependency management tools, highlighting his experiences with tools like Pip, Poetry, and Pip Compile. While he acknowledges the benefits of tools like Poetry for simplifying requirements management, Shah expresses contentment with traditional tools like Pip and Pip Compile for managing dependencies effectively. He underlines the importance of seamless dependency resolution and version control, choosing tools that align with project needs and complexity.
Evolution of Python Internals and Performance Analysis
Anthony Shah delves into his interest in Python internals, which led him to document his learning journey in a book. His exploration of Python internals helped him comprehend key concepts like async operations and gain insights into the role of C in CPython. Shah emphasizes the significance of continuous learning and self-assessment during book writing, highlighting the challenges and technical errors encountered in the process. Furthermore, he shares his current focus on Python performance analysis during his work at Microsoft, highlighting his involvement in AI projects and enhancing Python performance for diverse applications.