Hey everyone! I'm switching jobs soon and have only worked with Python 3.9 for years to keep everything consistent within my team. In my new position, I'm going to lead the development of our Python-based infrastructure. I guess you could say I'm working in full-stack data analytics, handling everything from data collection and ETL to analysis and reporting. I commonly use tools like pandas and duckdb in my pipelines. For those of you in similar roles, what version of Python do you recommend? Should I stick to 3.9 or move on to something newer? Also, I know I can use different versions in virtual environments, but I'd prefer to standardize unless absolutely necessary.
5 Answers
At least go for Python 3.11. It's a solid pick that offers significant performance improvements. You can always test your work to ensure it runs smoothly in older environments if you have existing dependencies!
It really depends on your libraries. If you're heavily reliant on certain packages that haven’t updated for 3.13 yet, then it might be safest to stick with 3.12 until you're sure everything works smoothly. I've faced issues holding back my version for library support, so that's something to keep in mind.
That brings up a good point; for any project, ensure you stay compatible with your necessary libraries!
I'd advise against sticking with Python 3.9 since it's nearing the end of its life. Since you're starting fresh, go for the latest stable version, which is 3.13. It's also a good idea to develop with forward compatibility in mind—consider testing your code across multiple versions to avoid issues when upgrading. That way, when older versions are phased out, you’ll have a smoother transition!
I recently upgraded from 3.10 to 3.13 and love the improved error messaging—definitely worth it!
Absolutely, starting with the latest version for new projects is the best route!
In our team, we generally stick to using the latest stable release unless there's a compelling reason to choose an older one. Our CI/CD system helps us keep dependencies in check, making version upgrades manageable. Try to avoid sticking with something like 3.9 if you can help it!
We're in the same boat; aiming for the newest stable version helps avoid future headaches!
Always choose a supported version. Aim to upgrade periodically—it makes the process a lot easier in the long run. I suggest using 3.12 as it's stable and typically has fewer compatibility issues with libraries than the newest release.
3.13 has been out long enough that it’s alarming for a library to not support it. If a library struggles to keep up, it could signal they’re not well maintained!
Agreed. 3.11 really does boost performance. It’s worth the update!