Python for Humans
Introduction
- Author: Kenneth Reitz
- Focus: Simplifying Python for everyday developers.
- Motivation: Provide practical tools and packages to make Python more human-friendly.
Key Projects
- Requests: HTTP for Humans.
- Httpbin.org: An HTTP request & response service.
- Other Projects:
- Legit: Git workflow for Humans.
- Envoy: Subprocess for Humans.
- Tablib: Tabular data for Humans.
- Clint: CLI app toolkit.
- Autoenv: Magic shell environments.
Philosophy
- Python Zen: Emphasizes simplicity and clarity.
- Key Tenets:
- Beautiful is better than ugly.
- Simple is better than complex.
- There should be one—and preferably only one—obvious way to do it.
The Problem with Existing Tools
- Complexity: Traditional Python libraries like
urllib2 are overly complex.
- Accessibility: Difficult APIs deter new users and frustrate experienced ones.
The Solution: Requests
- Design Principles:
- Consistent and simple API.
- Methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE with intuitive parameters.
- Success: Widely adopted due to its simplicity and effectiveness.
The Importance of API Design
- User-Centric: APIs should cater to the 90% use case.
- Documentation: A well-written README is crucial for adoption.
- Evolution: Features can grow, but the API should remain simple.
Barriers to Python Adoption
- Installation: Confusion around Python versions and installation methods.
- Standard Library Issues: Complex modules for simple tasks.
- Dependency Management: Complicated packaging and installation processes.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Python
- Purpose: Document best practices and simplify Python adoption.
- Content:
- Installation guides for different OS.
- Best practices for Python development.
- A guidebook for both newcomers and experienced developers.
Manifesto
- Goals:
- Simplify terrible APIs.
- Document and share best practices with the community.
Conclusion
- Call to Action: Developers should prioritize creating simple, accessible APIs and contribute to open-source projects.
- Contact: GitHub - Kenneth Reitz