Python In the News

There's been a lot going on with Python--and a lot yet to come. For instance:

• Python was recently declared as the programming language of the year for 2007, according to the TIOBE Index. Python had the largest increase in ratings in one year time (2.04%), passing Perl for the first time suggesting that Python has indeed become the "de facto" glue language at system level.

• PyCon, the annual Python Community Conference, is right around the corner, taking place this year in Chicago on March 14-20, 2008. We'll be covering it.

• The Python Software Foundation has graciously set aside some financial assistance funds for attending PyCon 2008. If you would like to go to PyCon but can't afford it, the PSF may be able to help.

• Python 3000, Python 3.0, and Py3K -- all names for the same thing -- is the language's next big release, and it will officially be cut loose at PyCon.

• In this audio interview, we interview David Goodger, Chair of the PyCon 2008 Developer Conference, who shares his insights about the conference sessions and the upcoming release of Python 3.0.

• Speaking of audio interviews, we also have a chat with Jacob Kaplan-Moss in our Dr. Dobb's TV area. Jacob is the co-author of the Django Project, a very cool Python Web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design.

• Okay, we haven't published it yet, but Rock Howard is writing what sounds like a really nice Python/django article tentatively entitled "Deploying Personal Django Apps on a Thumb Drive." I look forward to getting it to you.

• As for other Dr. Dobb's Python stuff, Shannon -jj Behrens has written a really interesting article on Concurrency and Python, in which he examines (among other things) Stackless Python, an enhanced version Python for thread-based programming. Don't miss this article.

• To continue with Python news: IronPython 1.1.1 has been released, although admittedly it is a minor update. IronPython is an implementation of Python running on .NET
  

That's it for now, but you can bet there will be a lot more Python news over the next few weeks. And to answer the unasked question, no the "Python" moniker has nothing to do with a snake. (Hint: Think "Monty Python".)

Posted by Jon Erickson at 10:32 AM  Permalink