
Python Bytes
Python Bytes is a weekly podcast hosted by Michael Kennedy and Brian Okken. The show is a short discussion on the headlines and noteworthy news in the Python, developer, and data science space.
Latest episodes

17 snips
Mar 17, 2025 • 27min
#424 We Will Test in Production
Discover the peculiarities of Python's rounding mechanism, where numbers ending in .5 round to the nearest even integer. Dive into performance enhancements thanks to tail call optimization, promising up to 10% speed improvements in upcoming releases. Learn practical techniques for string manipulation to easily remove punctuation. Plus, enjoy a humorous take on the risks of testing in production, underscored by a clever Star Trek analogy. All this, sprinkled with insights on Python infrastructure and startup opportunities!

Mar 10, 2025 • 27min
#423 Traveling the Python Universe
Discover PySQL Scribe, a nifty tool that simplifies SQL query construction across various databases. Dive into fascinating visualizations that unravel Python's package dependencies. Explore the competitive job trends for programming languages like Rust and C++. Learn about the surprises of AI performance compared to human standards, mixed with some lighthearted tech humor. Plus, don't overlook the hidden gems of Python's help() function that make programming easier and more intuitive.

Mar 3, 2025 • 33min
#422 You need 4 spaces
Get ready for a deep dive into a future where Python thrives in the browser! Discover how a new project layout using `pyproject.toml` is set to revolutionize production apps. The hosts break down aiolimiter, an exciting tool for controlling rate in asyncio tasks. Plus, there's a light-hearted look at coding humor, including the classic tabs versus spaces debate. Tune in for innovative web development tips and a peek into fresh ideas like Reloadium, enhancing your coding journey!

Feb 24, 2025 • 23min
#421 22 years old
Discover a handy tool for debugging HTTP requests in Python, making troubleshooting a breeze. Exciting news as the Python Packaging Index now supports wheels for both iOS and Android, paving the way for mobile development. Dive into the latest features in the arcade game platform with its new 3.0 update. Learn about PEP 765 and its impact on coding practices. Enjoy a lighthearted joke about teapots while exploring tech upgrades like a surprisingly affordable Mac Mini. Tune in for a fun discussion on programming preferences and challenging logical puzzles!

Feb 17, 2025 • 28min
#420 90% Done in 50% of the Available Time
Topics covered in this episode:
PEP 772 – Packaging governance process
Official Django MongoDB Backend Now Available in Public Preview
Developer Philosophy
Python 3.13.2 released
Extras
Joke
See the full show notes for this episode on the website at pythonbytes.fm/420

Feb 4, 2025 • 30min
#419 Is your back end popular?
Topics covered in this episode:
content-types package for better MIME types/Content-Type
Wagtail 6.4
Build It Yourself
Build backend popularity over time
Extras
Joke
See the full show notes for this episode on the website at pythonbytes.fm/419

7 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 20min
#418 I'm a tea pot
The show opens with a heartfelt tribute to Michael Foord, a key figure in the Python community. Listeners will discover Valkey, a powerful open-source alternative to Redis. The hosts dive into 30 software development best practices, highlighting simplicity and proper code maintenance. They also discuss cautious mocking in testing and managing MIME types for web projects. Lastly, they celebrate Python's milestones while playfully discussing the quirky HTTP status code 418.

Jan 21, 2025 • 24min
#417 Bugs hide from the light
Discover the innovative LLM Catcher, helping developers debug with advanced language models for clearer insights. Dive into the new Project Quarantine initiative designed to manage malicious packages on PyPI, enhancing package safety. Learn about the importance of code security and testing with tools like RESPX, while also exploring the intricacies of unpacking keyword arguments in Python. The episode wraps up with a dose of humor, featuring programming jokes that lighten the technical discussions.

Jan 13, 2025 • 44min
#416 A Ghostly Episode
Discover the innovative terminal emulator Ghostty that combines speed, features, and a user-friendly design for MacOS and Linux users. Learn about the transition to a simpler Bash setup for efficient Python development and the introduction of WinLoop to enhance AsyncIO on Windows. Dive into secure coding practices with a focus on threat modeling and collaborative strategies. The hosts also share their personal coding experiences, upcoming events in the Python community, and the evolution of podcasting into an interactive learning platform.

Dec 23, 2024 • 33min
#415 Just put the fries in the bag bro
Discover a fascinating new Python library that ensures long-running tasks are resilient by saving their state in a Postgres database. Explore the rise of typing in Python as developers adopt it widely, but face usability hurdles. Learn about tools like Write Typer, perfect for automating type annotations. Dive into the integration of command line utilities in scripts, and hear tips on productivity enhancements. Enjoy a lighthearted discussion of Python syntax with a twist, filled with humor and relatable coding terms.