[Biopython-dev] Planning to drop Python 2 support by 2020?

[Peter Cock]

We now have one Biopython developer not entirely happy about
the plan to drop Python 2 support by 2020, João Rodrigues writing
on the other thread about ideas for Biopython 2.0:

http://mailman.open-bio.org/pipermail/biopython-dev/2017-June/021766.html

On 21 June 2017 at 11:44, João Rodrigues <j.p.g.l.m.rodrigues at gmail.com>
wrote:
>
> Regarding the pledge, the more I think about it the more conflicted I
> feel. On one hand, this will push adoption of Py3.x for the end-user and
> allow us to take advantage of new language features. On the other hand, I
> still work on clusters with system Py2.6 and with code that chokes with
> anything over 2.5.
>
> ...

As I answered there, we have an older cluster and have routinely
had to install an extra more recent Python to use in order to run
many bioinformatics tools - instead of the system provided elderly
system Python.

Peter

On Thu, Jun 15, 2017 at 11:57 AM, Peter Cock <p.j.a.cock at googlemail.com> wrote:
> My fellow Biopythoneers,
>
> I've only seen positive replies, so I propose to add this
> commitment to the README.rst file, FAQ in the Tutorial,
> and NEWS.rst entry for upcoming biopython 1.70 release.
>
> Let's say at the start of next week if no one objects?
>
> We can then ask to have Biopython added to the
> http://www.python3statement.org/ site (using the new
> logo - yay!).
>
> We can also include this in the Biopython Project Update
> 2017 talk at BOSC next month.
>
> Regards,
>
> Peter
>
> On Sun, Apr 16, 2017 at 10:33 AM, Peter Cock <p.j.a.cock at googlemail.com> wrote:
>> Correction: NumPy itself is not yet listed on
>> http://www.python3statement.org/ but a number
>> of related projects like SciPy are. My mistake, sorry.
>>
>> NumPy are discussing when to drop Python 2.7
>> support on their mailing list right now:
>>
>> https://mail.python.org/pipermail/numpy-discussion/2017-April/076653.html
>>
>> I don't think this fundamentally changes the fact we
>> should be planning for the end of life for Python 2.7,
>> and that 2020 is a sensible target.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Peter
>>
>> On Mon, Dec 5, 2016 at 6:17 PM, Peter Cock <p.j.a.cock at googlemail.com> wrote:
>>> Dear fellow Biopythoneers,
>>>
>>> Or next release (Biopython 1.69) drops Python 2.6 support, and will
>>> target Python 2.7 and Python 3.3 onwards.
>>>
>>> While Python 2.7 support will continue in the short to medium term,
>>> the Python team themselves currently plan to stop support by 2020.
>>> That is only three or four more years, and seems a sensible upper
>>> limit for how long Biopython continues to support Python 2.7.
>>>
>>> Furthermore, NumPy (which a lot of our code depends on) and
>>> other high profile relevant projects also intend to drop their
>>> Python 2.7 support by 2020 as advertised on this campaign
>>> site: http://www.python3statement.org/
>>>
>>> Does anyone object to adopting this goal for Biopython, and
>>> adding the project to http://www.python3statement.org/ ?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Peter