According to the TIOBE index, Python is the #1 most popular programming language. With its popularity, widespread support and various libraries, Python can be one of the strongest tools in your arsenal to build your product. So whether you’re starting from scratch or already have a project in progress, the experience of others with Python can come in handy. In what follows, I’ll cover the best practices for building software products using this technology.
Make Sure That Python is the Best Choice for Your Project
Although Python is a very versatile technology, it’s not the best for everything. You should consider whether the needs of your project align with the strengths of Python. If you’re already certain that Python is a great keystone for your tech stack, you may want to skip this section. If you’re not sure, let’s talk about some tips from my experience that can help you decide.
Python is generally a great choice for the following use cases:
- Web development
- AI and data science
- Cloud services
- Internet of Things applications
- Testing (unit tests, functional tests, integration tests, load tests, etc.)
Although Python excels at many use cases like these, it’s also not so great for some other types of projects such as:
- Video conferencing and streaming (Python has limited support for WebRTC formats)
- Low-level hardware access
- Real-time performance
The Right Architecture is the Key to Long-Term Success
If you want your product to succeed in the long term and scale up with business needs, you need to start with the right architecture. Write down all the requirements for the product, such as components, future integrations, and specific features. If you communicate effectively with the development team, they’ll be able to plan the development process effectively when they begin creating the architecture.
Next, split up the project into logical components or modules with a well-defined purpose. Some possible categories might be data access, business logic, user interface, and utilities. Avoid circular dependencies as much as possible. This is where two classes are mutually dependent on one another. This can lead to perplexing import statements and muddled responsibilities. Instead, create abstract classes with clear inheritance. That way, each class will have shared and individual logic without dependency issues.
Additionally, during the Python app development process, try to minimize coupling different components of code. High coupling is when two code elements are overly interdependent. This makes it difficult to alter one without affecting the other adversely.
Take Security Seriously
Although Python has great security features, you should still consider the security of each specific project. This is especially important for adhering to industry regulations. Here are some common security tips for Python projects:
- Always use the most recent version of Python.
- Containerized environments like Docker can prevent malicious code injection by isolating project packages.
- Disable debugging in production. This will prevent exposing error codes and code vulnerabilities to end users.
- Always commit with a password to prevent leaking your code history.
- Verify your packages to prevent running malicious or out-of-date code.
- Update your server machines regularly to prevent human error and software failures that can impact your project outside of the Python environment.
Onboard Python Developers With Relevant Experience
Since Python is one of the most popular programming languages, there are a lot of software developers out there. Although that means it’s easy to find developers in the market, it’s still important to look for developers with talents that match the needs of your project. For example, if you’re aiming to launch a machine learning-driven product, you’ll want to look for Python developers with expertise in AI libraries like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn. Similarly, web development products will benefit from having developers with experience in frameworks like Django, Flask, Pyramid, or FastAPI. Data-focused products will thrive when driven by developers with experience using Pandas, NumPy, or SciPy.
Regardless of whether your team is remote or in-house, make sure their expertise is relevant to the needs of your project. This will also help you save money by not paying a developer who’s overqualified for your project.
Manage Your Project Effectively
To get off on the right foot with your development team, communicate. Make sure you’ve defined the scope and complexity of your project before you go out and hire Python developers. Write a document explaining your product’s purpose, goals, benefits, target audience, and potential size. This will help you determine the experience, expertise, and size of the development team you need.
After that’s done, you should also create a list of features with your tech lead. Even if you’re outsourcing the project, you should still have someone on your team with tech experience who can be in charge of tech management and debugging. Go through your contract carefully to tie up any loose ends, like intellectual property rights.
Finally, keep your documentation up-to-date to help maintain current workflows. This documentation will also be useful for future reference and will keep development moving smoothly.
Building the Future of Python Software Products
If you make the right choices, Python can help you build a reliable and scalable product that can meet the needs of your customers. Communicating with developers from start to finish is one of the crucial elements of success. Once you’ve carefully chosen your team, managing that team appropriately will ensure your success, especially if you choose a team that’s familiar with the security needs of your industry
Author:
Pavlo Pylypenko, Python Team Leader at Mobidev.