Python Bytes
Python Bytes
#technology

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

May 19, 2025 00:25:48 24.95 MB Downloads: 0
Topics covered in this episode:
Watch on YouTube

About the show

Sponsored by NordLayer: pythonbytes.fm/nordlayer

Connect with the hosts

Join us on YouTube at pythonbytes.fm/live to be part of the audience. Usually Monday at 10am PT. Older video versions available there too.

Finally, if you want an artisanal, hand-crafted digest of every week of the show notes in email form? Add your name and email to our friends of the show list, we'll never share it.

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:

Joke: How To Fix Your Computer