Sessions at EuroPython 2011 about Open Source

Monday 20th June 2011

• Writing Books using Python & Open Source Software

  by Wesley Chun

  All of us are familiar with using open source tools to develop software applications with, but instead of writing code, it is also possible to create the manuscript of a book in very much the same way. These days, authors have many choices in terms of the tools which are available to aid them in writing a book. Gone are the times when the only option is using a proprietary word processor, so why not try it using open source tools? It's especially attractive to those who develop software using open source tools as well those who are writing books about open source tools. Both code and the written word are created in plain text files. These files are easily archived using some version control system. They can be shared easily via e-mail and can also be backed up in the same manner. In the end, the final product is shipped to the customer: in the case of software, it's distribution via CD or DVD, or perhaps a release for installation on a server, and for a book, it's delivering a manuscript to the publisher, perhaps in a format such as HTML or PDF®.

  Upon some reflection, writing a book is, in many ways, similar to writing an application: you create text or code which is saved to a file (or files--typically one but could be more) file in some format, proprietary or otherwise. Additions, changes, or deletions are made to the file(s), which is then updated when the file is (re)saved. Backups need to be made, some versioning may be required to keep track of multiple files during the course of development, and finally, the resulting file(s) have to be delivered, as described above. Because of all the similarities described, we assert that it is possible to use a development environment utilizing Python and other open source tools to not only write application with, but also be able to create the entire manuscript for a book as well! While this entire concept should not really be mind-blowing, it does represent a trend seemingly growing in popularity in the open source world.

  In particular, we highlight the following requirements that are necessary when creating a manuscript, especially with co-authors:

  • Text Formatting
  • Editing
  • Versioning and Backups
  • Automated Testing of Code
  • HTML/PDF® Generation
  • Author Communication

  In this talk, we highlight one particular case study, the development of Addison Wesley's 2009 publication, "Python Web Development with Django", as well as provide some insight into other projects created using similar tools. Open source software has radically affected how applications are built today, and this phenomenon has the ability to affect the book publishing world in the same way.

  • Open Source
  • Publishing
  • Python

  At 3:30pm to 4:30pm, Monday 20th June

  Coverage video

Thursday 23rd June 2011

• The political implications of having fun (while programming open source)

  by Benno Luthiger

  What are the implications for the society if people enjoy their work, because this work is perceived as rewarding by itself? It is this question that occupies me since I have finished my Ph.D. research about the motivation of open source programmers. In my research, I have been able to show that fun is an important driver for open source programmers. Moreover, fun plays an important role not only for hobbyists, but for developers who are paid for their work too (open or closed source).

  These findings contrast with the traditional efforts of leftist parties and labor unions.
  For those political organizations, labor is perceived as compulsion and exploitation and, therefore, people have to be liberated from labor. The resulting political praxis is to send people into retirement as soon as possible and, on the other hand, to make the life for unemployed people carefree.

  Is the software developers‘ world a little Shangri-La, apart from the real world, delineated by the leftist parties, or is the open source model generalizable? What happens with the values generated through the labor if the work as such is rewarding? The open source mode of production is part of our modern reality and in my presentation I would like to consider this big reality from the perspective of open source.

  • Open Source

  At 12:15pm to 1:15pm, Thursday 23rd June

  Coverage video

Friday 24th June 2011

• The development process of Python

  by Ezio Melotti

  Python is an open source language, where everyone can contribute, and thanks to Mercurial now it's even easier.

  With this talk I want to unveil what happens "behind the scenes" of CPython and how you can get involved and be part of the open source community that allows Python to be one of the most popular programming languages.

  I will explain:
  * what is the workflow of the CPython development;
  * how to get a clone of Python;
  * how to use Mercurial to do all the most common operations;
  * what is the structure of the main CPython repository;
  * what other are repositories are used;
  * how to use the bug tracker to report and find bugs;
  * how to use remote Mercurial repos to contribute code;
  * what tools are used;
  * how to get in touch with the core developers;
  * what are the plans for the future;

  • Open Source
  • Python

  At 9:00am to 10:30am, Friday 24th June

  Coverage video