These are the tools that make your life as a coder easier and more enjoyable, but for some reason they don’t get as much love as they deserve.
First up on our list is `pip-tools`. This little gem allows you to manage dependencies in your Python projects without having to constantly update your requirements file. Instead of manually adding each new package to the file every time you install something, pip-tools automatically generates a requirements file for you based on what’s already installed in your virtual environment.
`pip-tools` also allows you to specify which versions of packages you want to use and even includes support for pinning dependencies (i.e., locking them down so they don’t change). This is especially useful if you have a team working on the same project and need to ensure that everyone has access to the same version of each package.
Next up, we have `black`. If you’re not familiar with black, it’s a tool for automatically formatting your Python code according to PEP 8 style guidelines. This might sound like a small thing, but trust us having consistent and readable code is essential for any project that involves multiple developers working together.
One of the best things about `black` is how easy it is to use. Simply install it using pip (or your preferred package manager) and run it on your codebase. Black will automatically format all of your Python files according to PEP 8, making them easier to read and understand for everyone involved in the project.
`black` also includes support for customizing its behavior based on specific use cases or preferences. For example, you can exclude certain directories from being formatted (e.g., if you have a lot of third-party libraries that don’t follow PEP 8), or specify which style guidelines to enforce (e.g., if you prefer using spaces instead of tabs).
Finally, we have `isort`. This is another tool for automatically sorting your Python imports based on specific criteria (such as alphabetical order or grouping by module). Like black, it’s incredibly easy to use and can save you a ton of time when working with large codebases.
`isort` also includes support for customizing its behavior based on your specific needs (e.g., if you prefer sorting imports by module instead of alphabetically). And best of all, it can be used in conjunction with other tools like black to ensure that your code is both formatted and sorted according to PEP 8 style guidelines.
Whether you’re working on a small project or a large team, these tools can help you save time, reduce errors, and improve the overall quality of your codebase. So why not give them a try today? Your future self (and your colleagues) will thank you for it!