An overview of the Python 3 language
What’s new in Python 3.8
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Python is a programming language with many features, including an extensive standard library. The latest version of Python, 3.8, was released on October 14th, 2019.
Python 3.8 includes numerous improvements and additions to the language, including support for assignment expressions, positional-only parameters, f-strings support for Unicode 12.1 and more. In this article, we’ll take a look at what’s new in Python 3.8 so that you can be up to date with the latest features of the language.
Assignment Expressions
In Python 3.8, you can now use assignment expressions to assign values to variables while using an expression. For example, previously, if you wanted to assign a value to a variable based on whether another variable was greater than 10, you would have had to write something like this:
if x > 10:
y = True
else:
y = False
Now, with assignment expressions, you can do this in one line:
y = True if x > 10 else False
Positional-Only Parameters
In Python 3.8, you can now use positional-only parameters to specify that some parameters can only be specified by position, and not by keyword.
Previously, if you wanted to specify that a parameter could only be specified by position, you would have had to write something like this:
def func(pos1, pos2=None):
pass
Now, with positional-only parameters in Python 3.8, you can do this more clearly:
def func(pos1 / * , pos2=None * / ):
pass
By using the “/* */” syntax around “pos2”, we are specifying that “pos2” is a positional-only parameter. This means that it can only be specified by its position (i.e., “func(10, 20)”), and not by keyword (“func(10, pos2=20)”).
F-Strings Support for Unicode 12.1
In Python 3.8, f-strings now support Unicode 12.1. This means that you can now use the latest version of Unicode in your f-string formatting. For example, previously, if you wanted to format a string with the latest version of Unicode, you would have had to write something like this:
def func(pos1 / * , pos2=None * / ):
pass
Now, with positional-only parameters in Python 3.8, you can do this more clearly:
def func(pos1 / * , pos2=None * / ):
pass
By using the “/* */” syntax around “pos2”, we are specifying that “pos2” is a positional-only parameter
Other Improvements and Additions
In addition to the features mentioned above, Python 3.8 also includes a number of other improvements and additions.
For example, there is now a new “walrus operator” (“:=”) which allows you to assign values to variables while using an expression. There is also support for type annotations in variable assignments.
Additionally, there have been numerous improvements made to the standard library, including updates to the asyncio module and improvements to the bundled SSL implementation.
Python 3.8 is a great release that includes many new features and improvements. If you’re just getting started with Python, be sure to check out our articles on the Python 3 tutorial and the differences between Python 2 and 3.
