AnswerDotAI/fastcore

What it solves

Python's standard library has some rough edges and missing features. fastcore provides a set of utilities and extensions that make Python more flexible and expressive, incorporating functional programming patterns and features inspired by languages like Ruby and Haskell.

How it works

It extends Python's core capabilities through several specialized modules:

• Foundation: Implements mixins, delegation, and composition.
• Xtras: Provides tools for functional-style programming and simplified parallel processing.
• Test: Offers clear, informative assertion functions for testing.
• XML: Provides factories for handling HTML and XML.
• Core Extensions: It introduces L, a powerful replacement for the standard Python list with method chaining and advanced indexing, and the @patch decorator to add methods to existing classes without subclassing.

Who it’s for

Developers who want to write cleaner, more concise Python code, particularly those looking for functional programming tools or a more streamlined way to handle common tasks like parallel processing and attribute assignment.

Highlights

• Enhanced Lists: The L class replaces list with added superpowers like indexing with collections and built-in .map() and .filter() methods.
• @patch Decorator: Allows adding methods to built-in or existing classes without needing to inherit from them.
• Simplified Concurrency: Custom versions of ThreadPoolExecutor and ProcessPoolExecutor for easier parallel processing.
• Developer Utilities: Includes store_attr() for bulk attribute assignment and delegates for better IDE parameter visibility.
• Functional Tools: Tools like compose and timed_cache for a more functional approach to Python programming.