Pybites Podcast

#143 - Mastering Python with Łukasz Langa: The Story Behind Core Development and Black

Dec 11, 2023

Join Łukasz Langa, a key figure in the Python community, as he discusses the story behind core development and Black. Topics include the inspiration behind Black, challenges of maintaining open-source projects, the importance of consistent code formatting, handling user feedback, and the impact of COVID-19 on project progress.

55:27

Episode guests

Łukasz Langa

AI Summary

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Łukasz Langa discusses the story behind core development in Python.

The podcast explores the inspiration and working principle behind the Black code formatter.

Deep dives

Hypermedia Systems

I am currently reading 'Hypermedia Systems', a book by the authors of HTMX, a library that allows any HTML element to issue HTTP requests. The book explores how HTMX can be used to create applications that have the capabilities of a single-page application while still using server-side rendering and HTML generation. I find it fascinating how this library can enhance the user experience and application functionality, and I'm enjoying the book's insights and code examples.

How to Get a Thousand Followers on Twitter

00:45

Challenges in the Transition to Python Code for Configuration

00:44

Adoption of Default Formatting Standards

00:52

Introduction

2min

The Journey of Contributing to Python and Creating 'black'

2min

Developing Coverage for the Standard Library in Python

2min

Introduction and the Beginnings of Black

18min

Incident with PIP, Configuration File Adoption, and Handling User Feedback

2min

The Development and Challenges of Black

25min

Availability of Web Reading, Uses of htmax, PEP 703 Acceptance, and Opportunities for Contribution

4min

Join us in this intriguing podcast episode where we delve into the world of Python with Łukasz Langa, a key figure in the Python community.

This episode, packed with technical insights and personal anecdotes, covers a range of topics from Łukasz's groundbreaking work with Python to his musical journey. Enjoy!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:53 Guest intro + win of the week
05:27 Łukasz' new podcast core.py
06:22 Black - what inspired you + how does it work
12:30 Is its success thanks to a lack of config?
17:00 About code line length
18:07 Challenge of getting default options right
22:00 Comparing to JS Prettier
23:44 Using project.toml and the day Black broke pip
24:30 PDM ad segment
25:36 How to say No when people request features
27:50 Using AST to double-check accuracy
29:20 Indenting docstrings
31:19 Challenges maintaining Black and noticeable open source contributions
40:00 Some features you're particularly proud of
41:10 Maintaining a single file for a long time and emoji (unicode) support
45:20 Your music background + influence on your development work
48:04 What are you reading: Hypermedia Systems + The Guitar Circle
52:00 Where to reach out to Łukasz + final shoutout
54:48 Outro music

Links:
- Łukasz website
- Connect with Łukasz on X
- core.py - Pablo Galindo and Łukasz Langa's new Python podcast

Books:
- Hypermedia Systems
- The Guitar Circle

Ad segment:
- The PDM program

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