1. What’s the coolest Python application, framework or library you have discovered in 2009?
I did a lot of playing with asyncore and am currently having bit of fun with ply. As far as the coolest goes, I’d have to give a nod to Dingus from Gary Bernhardt. I really like the record-then-assert model for mocking, and the name just takes the cake.
2. What new programming technique did you learn in 2009?
Well, this year I completely changed my development methods. More accurately I actually started practicing some sort of development method where I previously had none. Prior to this year, I just kinda vomited code and didn’t pay much mind to quality. Though I always tried to make my code presentable and maintainable, that was typically an afterthought.
This year I started writing unit tests, then I started writing them first. Before I knew it I had read Clean Code and developed a mental work flow that really helped me focus.
The result (I think) has been higher quality code, and a better understanding of what I’m doing! Also, I’m pretty sure I cranked out more code this year than I ever had before even with less time to do so! Naysayers of TDD/BDD be damned, I am proof dammit! To be fair, this might not work for everyone :).
3. What’s the name of the open source project you contributed the most in 2009? What did you do?
Likely my own projects, specifically stompy and NginxMgr. I wrote them both from the ground up..
4. What was the Python blog or website you read the most in 2009?
Pythonistas on Twitter and Planet Python
5. What are the top three things you want to learn in 2010?
- Python Concurrency (and multiprocessing)
- More meta programming tricks
- A functional programming language (erlang or MAYBE Haskell, though it scared me a tad the last time I tried)