Wider horizons: New tools (and languages) for Python developers

What’s happening in the world of Python as summer winds down? Here are some of our favorites: Python is an established mover and shaker in data science, but it’s not the only mover and shaker. Expand your horizons with our rundown of the top three languages for data science. Also, if you’ve ever wanted to get started with Django but were worried about the learning curve—worry no more! We’ve got the get-started guide you were waiting for. Finally … why choose between Python and Rust when you could have them both—and a couple of new Rust-y Python tools to boot.

Top picks for Python readers on InfoWorld

3 languages changing data science
No prizes for guessing Python’s #1! (But #3 might surprise you.)

Get started with Django 5.0
This is it: The all-in-one guide to get you started with the all-in-one Python web framework.

The best new features and fixes in Python 3.13
Coming later this year to a Python near you: JIT compilation! Among other things, we can anticipate the end of the GIL (well, the beginning of the end, anyway) and improved error messages.

How to use Rust with Python, and Python with Rust
Convention says to use Rust for speed and Python for convenience. We say, use PyO3 to get the best of both worlds.

More good reads and Python updates elsewhere

uv 0.3: Unified Python packaging, written in Rust
Because of course, all the best Python tooling is written in Rust these days …

Tach: A Python tool to enforce dependencies, written in Rust
Because of course, all the best Python tooling is written in Rust these days … (wait, is there an echo in here?)

Codon 0.17: The latest release of a Python-to-machine-native-code compiler
The latest entry in the “let’s compile Python to assembly” sweepstakes now supports more of Python’s dynamic behaviors. And more of Python, period.

Are function calls still slow in Python?
Not after 3.11, and it looks like things are getting even faster in the future.