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The PEP8 Python Style Guide: Writing Code with Conventions

The PEP8 Python Style Guide: Writing Code with Conventions

When writing code, it is essential to follow the conventions of the programming language you are using. Adhering to these conventions not only helps you understand code written by others but also makes your code more readable for others.

In the context of Python, the language defines its conventions in the PEP8 style guide. PEP stands for Python Enhancement Proposals, which is the platform for discussing and enhancing the Python language. You can find all PEP proposals at https://www.python.org/dev/peps/.

Among the various PEP proposals, PEP8 is one of the earliest and most significant ones. It defines both formatting guidelines and rules for writing Python code in a “pythonic” way. For a detailed read, you can refer to the complete content of PEP8 here: https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0008/. However, let’s quickly summarize the key points to get you started:

  1. Indent using spaces, not tabs: Python code should be indented using spaces. Tabs are not recommended.

  2. Indent using 4 spaces: Each level of indentation should consist of four spaces. This provides clear visual separation within the code.

  3. Encoding in UTF-8: Python files should be encoded using UTF-8 to support a wide range of characters.

  4. Limit lines to 80 columns: To maintain readability, it is recommended to restrict lines of code to 80 characters. This helps when viewing code on narrow screens or printing code.

  5. Write each statement on its own line: Each statement of code should be written on a separate line to improve readability and maintainability.

  6. Naming conventions: Function names, variable names, and file names should be in lowercase with words separated by underscores (snake_case). However, class names should be capitalized, and separate words within the class name should also start with a capital letter (CamelCase). Package names should be in lowercase without underscores.

  7. Constants in uppercase: Variables that are intended to be constants should be written in uppercase to differentiate them from regular variables.

  8. Meaningful variable names: Variable names should be descriptive and meaningful, helping others understand their purpose.

  9. Useful comments: Include comments that provide valuable insights into the code’s functionality. However, avoid obvious comments that merely repeat the code.

  10. Spaces around operators: Add spaces around operators for improved readability and clarity.

  11. Avoid unnecessary whitespace: Remove any unnecessary whitespace to keep the code concise and clean.

  12. Blank lines: Use a blank line before defining a function to improve code organization. Similarly, insert a blank line between methods within a class to enhance readability. Within functions or methods, blank lines can be used to separate related blocks of code, aiding comprehension.

Adhering to the PEP8 style guide will not only make your code more readable but also bring consistency to Python projects. By following these conventions, you contribute to the overall quality and maintainability of your codebase.

Remember to continuously refer to the PEP8 guide and adapt your coding style accordingly while working on Python projects.

tags: [“PEP8”, “Python style guide”, “conventions”, “code readability”, “coding standards”]