Quantifying the Transition from Python 2 to 3: An Empirical Study of Python Applications

2017 ACM/IEEE International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement (ESEM) Pub Date : 2017-11-09 DOI:10.1109/ESEM.2017.45

B. Malloy, James F. Power

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引用次数: 21

Abstract

Background: Python is one of the most popular modern programming languages. In 2008 its authors introduced a new version of the language, Python 3.0, that was not backward compatible with Python 2, initiating a transitional phase for Python software developers. Aims: The study described in this paper investigates the degree to which Python software developers are making the transition from Python 2 to Python 3. Method: We have developed a Python compliance analyser, PyComply, and have assembled a large corpus of Python applications. We use PyComply to measure and quantify the degree to which Python 3 features are being used, as well as the rate and context of their adoption. Results: In fact, Python software developers are not exploiting the new features and advantages of Python 3, but rather are choosing to retain backward compatibility with Python 2. Conclusions: Python developers are confining themselves to a language subset, governed by the diminishing intersection of Python 2, which is not under development, and Python 3, which is under development with new features being introduced as the language continues to evolve.

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量化从Python 2到3的过渡:Python应用的实证研究

背景:Python是最流行的现代编程语言之一。2008年，它的作者引入了Python语言的新版本Python 3.0，它不向后兼容Python 2，为Python软件开发人员开启了一个过渡阶段。目的:本文描述的研究调查了Python软件开发人员从Python 2过渡到Python 3的程度。方法:我们开发了一个Python遵从性分析器PyComply，并组装了一个大型的Python应用程序语料库。我们使用PyComply来衡量和量化Python 3特性被使用的程度，以及它们被采用的速度和背景。结果:实际上，Python软件开发人员并没有利用Python 3的新特性和优势，而是选择保留与Python 2的向后兼容性。结论:Python开发人员将自己限制在一个语言子集中，由Python 2(尚未开发)和Python 3(正在开发中，随着语言的不断发展，将引入新功能)之间逐渐减少的交集所控制。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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2017 ACM/IEEE International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement (ESEM)

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