The end-of-month report features a Shiny new component for building Python-based chatbots, a Python-compatible library for write-once, run-anywhere WebAssembly extensions, and LPython, the latest entry into the Python compiler sweepstakes. Credit: kung_tom / Shutterstock As we wrap up the month in Python and elsewhere: Make generative AI chatbots in Python the Shiny way; use Streamlit to create web-based Python apps without getting dirty with HTML, CSS, or JavaScript; discover Extism, the lib that lets you build universal software components in WebAssembly; and get tips for speeding things up when Python seems too slow. Top picks for Python readers on InfoWorld Shiny for Python adds chat component for generative AI chatbots “Ooh, shiny!” indeed—use the LLM back end of your choice to spin up chatbots with ease. Intro to Streamlit: Web-based Python data apps made easy Who wouldn’t want to write snazzy HTML (and CSS, and JavaScript) front ends without touching a line of HTML (or CSS, or JavaScript)? Intro to Extism: A WebAssembly library for extendable apps and plugins Write software extensions once in WebAssembly and use them in the language of your choice, anywhere and everywhere you like. 10 tips for speeding up Python programs Never let them tell you Python’s too slow for the job! (Sometimes, it just needs a little push.) Python updates elsewhere Mypy 1.11 release has support for generics One of Python’s top static type-checking tools now supports Python 3.12’s generics syntax, and tons more. Get the most out of Python’s free-threading (no-GIL) build Get detailed rundowns on how to build and use the new version of Python that allows true CPU parallelism in threading. Library compatibility is a significant issue we’ll all need to watch going forward. The latest entry in the Python compiler sweepstakes … LPython Yes, it’s another ahead-of-time compiler for Python. This one features multiple back ends (Python to Fortran, really?!). It’s in early stages but worth a try if you’re feeling adventurous. Dotenvx: A better dotenv, from dotenv’s own creators Do dotenv for just about any language, environment, or platform: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Rust, Java, Docker … did dotenv just eat the world? Related content feature What is Rust? Safe, fast, and easy software development Unlike most programming languages, Rust doesn't make you choose between speed, safety, and ease of use. Find out how Rust delivers better code with fewer compromises, and a few downsides to consider before learning Rust. By Serdar Yegulalp Nov 20, 2024 11 mins Rust Programming Languages Software Development how-to Kotlin for Java developers: Classes and coroutines Kotlin was designed to bring more flexibility and flow to programming in the JVM. Here's an in-depth look at how Kotlin makes working with classes and objects easier and introduces coroutines to modernize concurrency. By Matthew Tyson Nov 20, 2024 9 mins Java Kotlin Programming Languages analysis Azure AI Foundry tools for changes in AI applications Microsoft’s launch of Azure AI Foundry at Ignite 2024 signals a welcome shift from chatbots to agents and to using AI for business process automation. By Simon Bisson Nov 20, 2024 7 mins Microsoft Azure Generative AI Development Tools news Microsoft unveils imaging APIs for Windows Copilot Runtime Generative AI-backed APIs will allow developers to build image super resolution, image segmentation, object erase, and OCR capabilities into Windows applications. By Paul Krill Nov 19, 2024 2 mins Generative AI APIs Development Libraries and Frameworks Resources Videos