Python 3.13.0 Alpha 3: What to expect from the upcoming Python release?

Python is one of the most popular and widely used programming languages in the world, with a rich and diverse ecosystem of libraries, frameworks, and tools. Python is also a language that is constantly evolving and improving, with new features and enhancements being added regularly. The latest version of Python, 3.13.0, is currently in development, and the third alpha release, 3.13.0a3, was announced on January 17, 2024. There are various benefits of learning Python. This article will give you a sneak peek into the future of Python along with some of the new features and changes that are coming in Python 3.13.0.

The third alpha release of Python 3.13 is now ready for testing, as developers aim to remove the Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) and improve the overall speed of this scripting language.

Python 3.13 Alpha 3 is just halfway through the alpha cycle. The beta phase will begin in early May, with the focus shifting from feature development to problem remediation.

In addition to eliminating the Global Interpreter Lock and continuing to improve overall Python speed, Python 3.13 will have several other benefits. Python's interactive interpreter mode will now default to colorized exception tracebacks, Docstrings' leading indentation has been removed to reduce memory use and PYC file size, numerous deprecations and deletions, and other refinements. Here are some of the new features and changes that are coming in Python 3.13.0

Colorized Error Messages

One of the most noticeable changes in Python 3.13.0 is the colourization of error messages when displaying tracebacks by default. This feature can make it easier to read and understand the error messages, and to locate the source of the error. The color scheme can be controlled via the new PYTHON_COLORS environment variable, as well as the existing NO_COLOR and FORCE_COLOR environment variables. You can also disable the colourization by passing the -X no colors command-line option.

Stripped Docstrings

Another change in Python 3.13.0 is the stripping of leading indentation from docstrings. Docstrings are the strings that document the purpose and usage of modules, classes, functions, and methods in Python. Previously, the indentation of docstrings was preserved, which increased the memory usage and the size of bytecode cache files (e.g.pyc files). Now, the indentation is removed, which can reduce the memory usage and the cache file size by up to 5%. This change can also affect tools that use docstrings, such as doctest, which may require some adjustments.

Removed Modules

Python 3.13.0 also removes 19 modules from the standard library, as part of the implementation of PEP 594 (Removing dead batteries from the standard library). These modules are considered obsolete, unmaintained, or insecure, and have better alternatives available. The removed modules are: aifc, audioop, cgi, cgitb, chunk, crypt, imghdr, mailcap, msilib, nis, nntplib, ossaudiodev, pipes, sndhdr, spwd, sunau, telnetlib, uu, and xdrlib. If you still need to use these modules, you can install them from PyPI or other sources.

New Flags and Environment Variables

Python 3.13.0 also introduces some new flags and environment variables that can affect the behaviour of the interpreter and the import system. For example, the compile() built-in function can now accept a new flag, ast.PyCF_OPTIMIZED_AST, which can return an optimized AST according to the value of the optimised argument. The new PYTHON_FROZEN_MODULES environment variable can determine whether or not frozen modules are ignored by the import system, equivalent to the -X frozen_modules command-line option. The new PYTHON_HISTORY environment variable can change the location of the python_history file, which stores the commands entered in the interactive interpreter.

These are just some of the new features and changes that are coming in Python 3.13.0. Many more improvements and bug fixes are being worked on, such as the removal of the Global Interpreter Lock, the enhancement of Python performance, and the addition of new deprecations and warnings. You can find the complete list of changes in the changelog. If you want to try out the new features and help test the release process, you can download the latest alpha release from the official website. Python 3.13.0 is expected to be released in October 2024, after six alpha releases, four beta releases, and two release candidates.