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Episode 29: Resolving Package Dependencies With the New Version of Pip

The Real Python Podcast

Oct 02, 2020 1h 9m

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Christopher Bailey
Christopher Bailey
Host
Georgia Bullen
Georgia Bullen
Guest
Sumana Harihareswara
Sumana Harihareswara
Guest

If you use Python, then you probably have used pip to install additional packages from the Python package index. Part of the magic behind pip is the dependency resolver, and there is a new version of it in the latest version of pip. This week on the show, we have Sumana Harihareswara and Georgia Bullen, who have been working on the recent releases of pip. Sumana is the project manager for pip, and Georgia has been working on pip’s user experience (UX).

The resolver is how pip determines what to install, and in what order, based on package requirements. We talk about how you can help, from updating to the latest release, testing out the new resolver with your projects, and answering surveys about your experiences. A ton of work has gone into making the updates this year. We also talk about the funding of projects like this in the open-source community.

Show Topics:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction
  • 00:01:41 – Pip updates and changes to dependency resolver
  • 00:08:49 – Different types of wheels
  • 00:11:12 – Pinning package dependencies
  • 00:13:19 – Work on the user experience (UX) of pip
  • 00:15:45 – Documentation at Python packaging authority and thanks to Thea Flowers
  • 00:16:21 – Types of issues that need resolving
  • 00:20:48 – Need for reporting issues
  • 00:23:41 – Pip usability survey and dependency recipes to test
  • 00:27:21 – Call out to open source maintainers to test
  • 00:29:32 – Video Course Spotlight
  • 00:30:43 – How is this UX work different from Simply Secure
  • 00:34:59 – How do you present errors to users?
  • 00:41:14 – Pip release timeline for 2020 and into 2021
  • 00:46:38 – The dynamics of responsibility and power
  • 00:49:43 – What’s involved in getting more funding into open source?
  • 00:54:10 – Grant writing for the PSF
  • 00:57:53 – Call to action: How to help with pip?
  • 01:00:54 – What are you excited about in the world of Python?
  • 01:04:52 – What do you want to learn next?
  • 01:08:22 – Thanks and goodbyes

Show Links:

Level Up Your Python Skills With These Courses:

How to Publish an Open-Source Python Package to PyPI

How to Publish Your Own Python Package to PyPI

Python Best Practices Artwork

Python Modules and Packages: An Introduction

What Is pip? A Guide for New Pythonistas

A Beginner's Guide to pip

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