PEP8

PEP8

PEP8 is a style guide for Python code that outlines recommendations for formatting, naming conventions, programming practices, etc. to improve Python code readability and consistency.
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python style-guide linting formatting readability

PEP8: Python Style Guide

PEP8 is a style guide for Python code that outlines recommendations for formatting, naming conventions, programming practices, etc. to improve Python code readability and consistency.

What is PEP8?

PEP8 is a set of coding conventions and style guidelines for writing more readable and consistent Python code. It covers topics like:

  • Indentation - Use 4 spaces for each indentation level
  • Maximum line length - Limit lines to 79 characters
  • Blank lines - Surround top-level function definitions with two blank lines
  • Imports - Imports should be on separate lines
  • Whitespace - Don't use extraneous whitespace inside parentheses, brackets, etc.
  • Naming conventions - Use snake_case for function names, variables, etc.
  • Programming practices - Avoid extraneous comparisons, nested blocks, unnecessary pass statements

Following the PEP8 guidelines makes Python code easier to read and understand for other developers. It enables writing clean, standardised code that conforms to the wider Python community's expectations. Many linters and IDEs can check PEP8 compliance automatically to help enforce these guidelines.

PEP8 Features

Features

  1. Formatting conventions for indentation, whitespace, naming, etc.
  2. Coding style compliance checking
  3. Integration with linters like pycodestyle
  4. Configuration files for customizing checks
  5. Command line interface and plugins for editors
  6. Promotes consistency across Python projects and teams

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Improves code readability and maintainability

Enforces best practices for Python development

Reduces simple stylistic mistakes and bugs

Easier to collaborate when everyone follows same conventions

Wide adoption makes it a standard for Python projects

Cons

Rules can seem arbitrary or like overkill at first

Additional effort to reformat existing codebases

Constraints on personal coding styles

More to learn for beginners

Debates over specific style rules


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