What is a PEP?
Python Enhancement Proposals (PEPs) are the foundational documents that guide Python’s evolution. They represent the primary mechanism for proposing new language features, collecting community input on issues, and documenting Python design decisions. They document the language’s history and future direction through carefully deliberated proposals.
Not all PEPs are accepted. However, rejected PEPs often contain valuable discussion and insights about Python’s design philosophy
Core Purpose and Process
PEPs serve multiple vital functions in Python’s ecosystem:
- Technical Specifications: They provide detailed descriptions for new language features or processes
- Community Discussion: PEPs facilitate structured debate about Python’s development
- Historical Record: They document the rationale behind language decisions
- Status Tracking: PEPs track the progress of proposals from draft through acceptance or rejection
Anatomy of a PEP
Most PEPs are structured as a formal design document containing:
- A concise abstract outlining the proposal
- Motivation and rationale for the changes
- Technical specifications and implementation details
- Discussion of alternatives considered
- References and supporting information
Types of PEPs
PEPs generally fall into three categories:
- Standards Track PEPs: Propose new features for Python itself
- Informational PEPs: Describe Python design issues or guidelines
- Process PEPs: Propose changes to Python’s development process
PEP Impact
Many fundamental Python features we take for granted today started as PEPs, e.g.,