#432 How To Fix Your Computer

Topics covered in this episode:

• pre-commit: install with uv
• PEP 773: A Python Installation Manager for Windows (Accepted)
• Changes for Textual
• The Best Programmers I Know
• Extras
• Joke

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Brian #1: pre-commit: install with uv

• Adam Johnson
• uv tool works great at keeping tools you use on lots of projects up to date quickly, why not use it for pre-commit.
• The extension of pre-commit-uv will use uv to create virtual environments and install packages fore pre-commit. This speeds up initial pre-commit cache creation.
• However, Adam is recommending this flavor of using pre-commit because it’s just plain easier to install pre-commit and dependencies than the official pre-commit install guide.
• Win-win.
• Side note: No Adam, I’m not going to pronounce uv “uhv”, I’ll stick with “you vee”, even Astral tells me I’m wrong

Michael #2: PEP 773: A Python Installation Manager for Windows (Accepted)

• via pycoders newsletter
• One manager to rule them all – PyManager.
• PEP 773 replaces all existing Windows installers (.exe “traditional” bundle, per-version Windows Store apps, and the separate py.exe launcher) with a single MSIX app called Python Install Manager (nick-named PyManager).
• PyManager should be mainstream by CPython 3.15, and the traditional installer disappears no earlier than 3.16 (≈ mid-2027).
• Simple, predictable commands.
  • python → launches “the best” runtime already present or auto-installs the latest CPython if none is found.
  • py → same launcher as today plus management sub-commands:
  • py install, py uninstall, py list, py exec, py help.
  • Optional python3 and python3.x aliases can be enabled by adding one extra PATH entry.

Michael #3: Changes for Textual

• Bittersweet news: the business experiment ends, but the code lives on.
• Textual began as a hobby project layered on top of Rich, but it has grown into a mature, “makes-the-terminal-do-the-impossible” TUI framework with an active community and standout documentation.
• Despite Textual’s technical success, the team couldn’t pinpoint a single pain-point big enough to sustain a business model, so the company will wind down in the coming weeks.
• The projects themselves aren’t going anywhere: they’re stable, battle-tested, and will continue under the stewardship of the original author and the broader community.

Brian #4: The Best Programmers I Know

• Matthias Endler
• “I have met a lot of developers in my life. Lately, I asked myself: “What does it take to be one of the best? What do they all have in common?””
• The list
  • Read the reference
  • Know your tools really well
  • Read the error message
  • Break down problems
  • Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty
  • Always help others
  • Write
  • Never stop learning
  • Status doesn’t matter
  • Build a reputation
  • Have patience
  • Never blame the computer
  • Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know”
  • Don’t guess
  • Keep it simple
• Each topic has a short discussion. So don’t just ready the bullet points, check out the article.

Extras

Brian:

• I had a great time in Munich last week. I a talk at a company event, met with tons of people, and had a great time.
  • The best part was connecting with people from different divisions working on similar problems.
  • I love the idea of internal conferences to get people to self organize by topic and meet people they wouldn’t otherwise, to share ideas.
  • Also got started working on a second book on the plane trip back.

Michael:

• Talk Python Clips (e.g. mullet)
• Embrace your cloud firewall (example).
• Python 3.14.0 beta 1 is here
• Congrats to the new PSF Fellows.
• Cancelled faster CPython
• https://bsky.app/profile/snarky.ca/post/3lp5w5j5tws2i

Joke: How To Fix Your Computer