How to Make Mistakes in Python

Even the best programmers make mistakes, and experienced programmer Mike Pirnat has made his share during 15+ years with Python. Some have been simple and silly; others were embarrassing and downright costly. In this O'Reilly report, he dissects some of his most memorable blunders, peeling them back layer-by-layer to reveal just what went wrong. For example, you could install every third-party package that looks interesting and end up with a tangled mess where nothing works right. Or you could write a test that manages to break the build. Mike's done both and so much more. By avoiding these missteps, you'll be free to make truly significant mistakes--the ones that advance the art of programming. Setup: the ills of an incautiously prepared environment Silly things: trivial mistakes that waste a disproportionate amount of energy Style: poor stylistic decisions that impede readability Structure: assembling code in ways that make change more difficult Surprises: those shocking mysteries that only time can turn from OMG to LOL Code examples are in Python 2, but still relevant for Python 3