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