Effective Package Management in Python

Python was ranked the second most popular coding language in a 2021 GitLab survey, rising from fourth place in 2014. 

What’s causing this upward trend? 

Any Python developer will tell you it’s obvious: Python is a versatile language, has a widely diverse open-source community, and is easy to start. 

Its ease of access, however, is a double-edged sword. It’s a good language for beginners, but it creates a huge knowledge gap between members on one team. How can Managers ensure a cross-trained group when standards aren’t required for good scripting? 

This guide is an introduction to managers and teams looking to improve the cohesion of their use of Python. In developing this guide, I’ve learned individual actions can have a ripple of consequences down the line, through no fault of anyone. Python is unique to the coder, and what may seem obvious to the original author can be lost on the successor without proper documentation. 

My team and I collected this series of best practices, management methods, and overall tips and tricks to create objective standards any Python user or team can immediately implement and see an improvement of their work.  

The guide will start with a brief introduction and history, who is using Python and why, and then go into the meat of the book. We cover a lot, so feel free to read in increments as necessary. I recommend reading the Best Practices at least, for immediate actions 😉.