Automating Code Quality: A Step-by-Step Guide for Python Projects
In the world of software development, maintaining code quality is crucial. This can be achieved by using static analysis tools such as formatters and linters. In a recent blog post, developer Harshil Patel shared his experience of setting up formatters, linters, and pre-commit hooks in his Python project.
Patel chose Black as his go-to formatter, which removes the need to worry about minor formatting decisions and keeps code clean and consistent. He also used Flake8 for linting, which caught many errors in his code and helped him fix them early on.
To streamline the process, Patel created scripts to run Black and Flake8 manually. He then integrated these tools into his editor, VSCode, using extensions. This allowed him to catch and fix issues as he coded, rather than waiting until he was finished.
The post also discusses setting up a Git pre-commit hook that runs Black on any files being committed, ensuring code remains consistent and clean before each commit. Patel found this feature particularly useful when working with others.
Overall, the post highlights the importance of automating code quality checks in Python projects and provides a step-by-step guide for setting up formatters, linters, and pre-commit hooks.