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.
#432 How To Fix Your Computer
- pre-commit: install with uv
- PEP 773: A Python Installation Manager for Windows (Accepted)
- Changes for Textual
- The Best Programmers I Know
- Extras
- Joke
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Brian #1: pre-commit: install with uv
- Adam Johnson
- uv tool works great at keeping tools you use on lots of projects up to date quickly, why not use it for pre-commit.
- The extension of pre-commit-uv will use uv to create virtual environments and install packages fore pre-commit. This speeds up initial pre-commit cache creation.
- However, Adam is recommending this flavor of using pre-commit because it’s just plain easier to install pre-commit and dependencies than the official pre-commit install guide.
- Win-win.
- Side note: No Adam, I’m not going to pronounce uv “uhv”, I’ll stick with “you vee”, even Astral tells me I’m wrong
Michael #2: PEP 773: A Python Installation Manager for Windows (Accepted)
- via pycoders newsletter
- One manager to rule them all – PyManager.
- PEP 773 replaces all existing Windows installers (.exe “traditional” bundle, per-version Windows Store apps, and the separate py.exe launcher) with a single MSIX app called Python Install Manager (nick-named PyManager).
- PyManager should be mainstream by CPython 3.15, and the traditional installer disappears no earlier than 3.16 (≈ mid-2027).
- Simple, predictable commands.
- python → launches “the best” runtime already present or auto-installs the latest CPython if none is found.
- py → same launcher as today plus management sub-commands:
- py install, py uninstall, py list, py exec, py help.
- Optional python3 and python3.x aliases can be enabled by adding one extra PATH entry.
Michael #3: Changes for Textual
- Bittersweet news: the business experiment ends, but the code lives on.
- Textual began as a hobby project layered on top of Rich, but it has grown into a mature, “makes-the-terminal-do-the-impossible” TUI framework with an active community and standout documentation.
- Despite Textual’s technical success, the team couldn’t pinpoint a single pain-point big enough to sustain a business model, so the company will wind down in the coming weeks.
- The projects themselves aren’t going anywhere: they’re stable, battle-tested, and will continue under the stewardship of the original author and the broader community.
Brian #4: The Best Programmers I Know
- Matthias Endler
- “I have met a lot of developers in my life. Lately, I asked myself: “What does it take to be one of the best? What do they all have in common?””
- The list
- Read the reference
- Know your tools really well
- Read the error message
- Break down problems
- Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty
- Always help others
- Write
- Never stop learning
- Status doesn’t matter
- Build a reputation
- Have patience
- Never blame the computer
- Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know”
- Don’t guess
- Keep it simple
- Each topic has a short discussion. So don’t just ready the bullet points, check out the article.
Extras
Brian:
- I had a great time in Munich last week. I a talk at a company event, met with tons of people, and had a great time.
- The best part was connecting with people from different divisions working on similar problems.
- I love the idea of internal conferences to get people to self organize by topic and meet people they wouldn’t otherwise, to share ideas.
- Also got started working on a second book on the plane trip back.
Michael:
- Talk Python Clips (e.g. mullet)
- Embrace your cloud firewall (example).
- Python 3.14.0 beta 1 is here
- Congrats to the new PSF Fellows.
- Cancelled faster CPython
- https://bsky.app/profile/snarky.ca/post/3lp5w5j5tws2i
Joke: How To Fix Your Computer