improving-python-code-quality

Python Code Quality

Quick Reference

Tool	Purpose	Command
ruff	Lint + format	ruff check src && ruff format src
mypy	Type check	mypy src

Ruff Configuration

Minimal config in pyproject.toml:

[tool.ruff]
line-length = 88
target-version = "py310"

[tool.ruff.lint]
select = ["E", "W", "F", "I", "B", "C4", "UP"]

For full configuration options, see RUFF_CONFIG.md.

MyPy Configuration

[tool.mypy]
python_version = "3.10"
disallow_untyped_defs = true
warn_return_any = true

For strict settings and overrides, see MYPY_CONFIG.md.

Type Hints Patterns

# Basic
def process(items: list[str]) -> dict[str, int]: ...

# Optional
def fetch(url: str, timeout: int | None = None) -> bytes: ...

# Callable
def apply(func: Callable[[int], str], value: int) -> str: ...

# Generic
T = TypeVar("T")
def first(items: Sequence[T]) -> T | None: ...

For protocols and advanced patterns, see TYPE_PATTERNS.md.

Common Anti-Patterns

# Bad: Mutable default
def process(items: list = []):  # Bug!
    ...

# Good: None default
def process(items: list | None = None):
    items = items or []
    ...

# Bad: Bare except
try:
    ...
except:
    pass

# Good: Specific exception
try:
    ...
except ValueError as e:
    logger.error(e)

Pythonic Idioms

# Iteration
for item in items:           # Not: for i in range(len(items))
for i, item in enumerate(items):  # When index needed

# Dictionary access
value = d.get(key, default)  # Not: if key in d: value = d[key]

# Context managers
with open(path) as f:        # Not: f = open(path); try: finally: f.close()

# Comprehensions (simple only)
squares = [x**2 for x in numbers]

Module Organization

src/my_library/
├── __init__.py      # Public API exports
├── _internal.py     # Private (underscore prefix)
├── exceptions.py    # Custom exceptions
├── types.py         # Type definitions
└── py.typed         # Type hint marker

Checklist

Code Quality:
- [ ] ruff check passes
- [ ] mypy passes (strict mode)
- [ ] Public API has type hints
- [ ] Public API has docstrings
- [ ] No mutable default arguments
- [ ] Specific exception handling
- [ ] py.typed marker present

Learn More

This skill is based on the Code Quality section of the Guide to Developing High-Quality Python Libraries by Will McGinnis. See these posts for deeper coverage:

• Linting & Formatting with Ruff
• Understanding McCabe Complexity
• Adding Type Hints