Python

We follow Python's style guide PEP 8. Also we:

• Use docstrings for functions whose purpose may be unclear or that will be used outside of their own modules

Supplemental resources:

• The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Python, especially the sections on coding style and packaging conventions.

• Google's Python Style Guide, especially recommendations concerning string formatting and the rule to always explicitly close files and sockets.

Additional notes:

• When opening text files for writing or appending text, use open's option mode = "wb" or mode = "ab" respectively to write in binary mode. This improves portability across operating systems.

• When opening text files for reading, use open's option mode = "rU" to enable universal newline support.