Command Line Heroes

Python’s Tale

Jun 25, 2019

A look into Python's evolution and community, with insights from Emily Morehouse, Michael Kennedy, and Diane Mueller. Discusses Guido van Rossum's impact, Python's inclusivity, and community-led decision-making. Emphasizes Python's technical extensibility and ease of use for building powerful applications like YouTube and Instagram.

28:09

Creator website

Episode guests

Diane Mueller

Michael Kennedy

Emily Morehouse

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Quick takeaways

Python's extensibility and open design philosophy have been key factors in its success and evolution.

The transition of the Python community to a more democratic governance model reflects its adaptability and sustainability.

Deep dives

Guido Van Rossum's Decision to Step Down and Reorganize the Python Community

After Guido Van Rossum's announcement of stepping down as Python's benevolent dictator, the Python community faced the challenge of reorganizing itself. Various suggestions, such as modeling their structure after the Presbyterian church, were considered and discarded. To understand Python's reorganization and its impact on future languages, delving into Python's origin tale was essential.

Intro

4min

Evolution of Python and Guido Van Rossum's Vision

7min

Python's Rise in Data Science Community

6min

Evolution and Impact of Open Source Communities, with a Focus on Python

8min

Exploring the Transfer of Power in Programming Communities

4min

A benevolent dictator for life steps down and changes the course of the Python language forever. Guido van Rossum’s “Transfer of Power” memo brings attention to the way programming languages evolve.

In this episode, Emily Morehouse makes the connection between Python’s technical extensibility and its inclusive community. Michael Kennedy explains how Python is both easy to learn and powerful enough to build YouTube and Instagram. And Diane Mueller highlights how the Python community took the lead on so many inclusive practices that are spreading in tech—including the rise of community-led decision-making.

Sometimes, a benevolent dictator can get a language started. But Python shows it’s communities that make languages thrive.

Learn more about Python at redhat.com/commandlineheroes

Also check out these Python podcasts that guest Michael Kennedy is part of — Talk Python to Me, and Python Bytes

We hear from Guido van Rossum in this episode from a Computer History Museum interview.

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Command Line Heroes

Python’s Tale

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Guido Van Rossum's Decision to Step Down and Reorganize the Python Community

Python's Extensibility and Design Philosophy

Transition to Community-Driven Governance and Future Prospects

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts