If you use Python, then you probably have used pip to install additional packages from the Python package index. Part of the magic behind pip is the dependency resolver, and there is a new version of it in the latest version of pip. This week on the show, we have Sumana Harihareswara and Georgia Bullen, who have been working on the recent releases of pip. Sumana is the project manager for pip, and Georgia has been working on pip’s user experience (UX).

The resolver is how pip determines what to install, and in what order, based on package requirements. We talk about how you can help, from updating to the latest release, testing out the new resolver with your projects, and answering surveys about your experiences. A ton of work has gone into making the updates this year. We also talk about the funding of projects like this in the open-source community.

Course Spotlight: A Beginner’s Guide to Pip

This course is a great introduction to pip for those who are getting started Python, and for those who want to understand more about what is happening when you install new packages into your environment. It’s a worthy investment of your time to understand the fundamentals of pip.

Show Topics:

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:01:41 – Pip updates and changes to dependency resolver
00:08:49 – Different types of wheels
00:11:12 – Pinning package dependencies
00:13:19 – Work on the user experience (UX) of pip
00:15:45 – Documentation at Python packaging authority and thanks to Thea Flowers
00:16:21 – Types of issues that need resolving
00:20:48 – Need for reporting issues
00:23:41 – Pip usability survey and dependency recipes to test
00:27:21 – Call out to open source maintainers to test
00:29:32 – Video Course Spotlight
00:30:43 – How is this UX work different from Simply Secure
00:34:59 – How do you present errors to users?
00:41:14 – Pip release timeline for 2020 and into 2021
00:46:38 – The dynamics of responsibility and power
00:49:43 – What’s involved in getting more funding into open source?
00:54:10 – Grant writing for the PSF
00:57:53 – Call to action: How to help with pip?
01:00:54 – What are you excited about in the world of Python?
01:04:52 – What do you want to learn next?
01:08:22 – Thanks and goodbyes

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