Skip to main content

Lack of design patterns in Python

While searching for PyCon videos, I came across Joe Gregorio's very good video on (lack of) design patterns in Python. I have also added the video timeline along with some notes I made for myself and my takeaway. Enjoy the video.




Timeline:
[00:00] - Start
[00:15] - People pick tools based on a mythology and not necessarily facts
[02:35] - Python isn't just Java without the compiler
[03:34] - Design patterns are also a sign of weakness in a language
[04:06] - Lack of design patterns in Python (proof of lack)
[06:10] - Patterns are built into Python
[07:00] - Strategy pattern in Python the wrong and right way
[07:36] - The strategy pattern is invisible in languages with first-class functions
[08:07] - Some other language features in Python (first class functions, metaprogramming, iterators, closures)
[09:17] - The iterator pattern (iterators) is also built into Python
[09:36] - The observer pattern is also built into Python
[10:17] - Factory method pattern in Python (
[10:34] - Abstract Factory Pattern
[10:40] - Strategy pattern goes away becaise of first class functions
[11:08] - Drawing some useful conslusions
[12:20] - Drawing light on Python from the perspective of patterns
[12:31] - Thread Pool and Concurrency patterns (should we be talking about language features in Python for concurrency patterns???)
[13:49] - Channels (a model for concurrent processes)
[15:12] - PyCSP (implmentation of csp on top of Python)
[18:42] - Conclusions, summary, and questions
[19:17] - end (video goes on for a few more seconds waiting for questions)



Notes:
There are very few references to design patterns in Python mailing lists and discussions around Python... design patterns could be a sign of weakness in a language... patterns are built into Python (hence very little discussion)...strategy pattern is invisible in languages with first class functions...



Takeaway:
If you have to implement a design pattern, first look at language features and try to determine if any can be used instead of the pattern or at least assist in the implementation of the pattern while programming in that language.

Ask yourself if a language feature would make that pattern part of the language itself.

Concurrency patterns are a rich area to look at.



References:


Comments

Vasudev Ram said…
Hi Parag,

I'm not sure but I think Alex Martelli has one or two presentations on design patterns for Python. Try googling for them using appropriate keywords.

- Vasudev
Vasudev Ram said…
Update: Yes, there are some.

See this google search:

python design patterns
Parag said…
Thanks Vasudev,

I will do a search for Python design patterns ...

Popular posts from this blog

Planning a User Guide - Part 3/5 - Co-ordinate the Team

Photo by  Helloquence  on  Unsplash This is the third post in a series of five posts on how to plan a user guide. In the first post , I wrote about how to conduct an audience analysis and the second post discussed how to define the overall scope of the manual. Once the overall scope of the user guide is defined, the next step is to coordinate the team that will work on creating the manual. A typical team will consist of the following roles. Many of these roles will be fulfilled by freelancers since they are one-off or intermittent work engagements. At the end of the article, I have provided a list of websites where you can find good freelancers. Creative Artist You'll need to work with a creative artist to design the cover page and any other images for the user guide. Most small to mid-sized companies don't have a dedicated creative artist on their rolls. But that's not a problem. There are several freelancing websites where you can work with great creative ar

Inheritance vs. composition depending on how much is same and how much differs

I am reading the excellent Django book right now. In the 4th chapter on Django templates , there is an example of includes and inheritance in Django templates. Without going into details about Django templates, the include is very similar to composition where we can include the text of another template for evaluation. Inheritance in Django templates works in a way similar to object inheritance. Django templates can specify certain blocks which can be redefined in subtemplates. The subtemplates use the rest of the parent template as is. Now we have all learned that inheritance is used when we have a is-a relationship between classes, and composition is used when we have a contains-a relationship. This is absolutely right, but while reading about Django templates, I just realized another pattern in these relationships. This is really simple and perhaps many of you may have already have had this insight... We use inheritance when we want to allow reuse of the bulk of one object in other

Running your own one person company

Recently there was a post on PuneTech on mom's re-entering the IT work force after a break. Two of the biggest concerns mentioned were : Coping with vast advances (changes) in the IT landscape Balancing work and family responsibilities Since I have been running a one person company for a good amount of time, I suggested that as an option. In this post I will discuss various aspects of running a one person company. Advantages: You have full control of your time. You can choose to spend as much or as little time as you would like. There is also a good chance that you will be able to decide when you want to spend that time. You get to work on something that you enjoy doing. Tremendous work satisfaction. You have the option of working from home. Disadvantages: It can take a little while for the work to get set, so you may not be able to see revenues for some time. It takes a huge amount of discipline to work without a boss, and without deadlines. You will not get the benefits (insuranc