Webdev:Python

IPYTHON

• Use IPython.

STYLE

• Start with PEP 8
• Then look at Django
• Prefer importing a module over classes or functions inside that module. It makes it easier to see where things belong. This isn't a hard-and-fast rule, just a suggestion. G

# Good.
from django.contrib import auth
auth.login(...)

# Not so good.
from django.contrib.auth import login
login(...)

• Avoid backslashes. Wrap things in parens instead.

# Gross.
jibberjabber = one.long.name + two.long.name + three.long.name + \
               four.long.name
# Lovely.
jibberjabber = (one.long.name + two.long.name + three.long.name
                + four.long.name)

• Continuation lines should line up with the opening parens. G

# mmmhmmm.
the_answer = sum(one, two, three, four,
                 five, six)
# This is ok too.
the_answer = sum(
   one, two, three, four, five, six)
# oh no.
the_answer = sum(one, two, three, four,
    five, six)

• Break the rules if you think it would improve readability.

DEBUGGING

• import pdb; pdb.set_trace()
• django-debug-toolbar
• django-extensions
  • runserver_plus
  • runprofileserver

PACKAGING

• Use pip and virtualenv and virtualenvwrapper. Zamboni packaging docs