On 4th of January 2021, Python released its fourth alpha version 3.10.0a4 for testing.
For some of you rookies not able to understand the title let me explain…

According to PEP 602 , Python started releasing its newer version annually. That means roughly on an average of 12 to 17 months a new version of Python is released. In fact if you check Python website you can also access future release calendar. Here I am adding one for reference.

Fair enough ! You’ll ask what is alpha release ?

What is Python alpha release ?

Let me explain in simple words. An alpha release is a series of planned release for Python versions. This release, 3.10.0a4 is the “fourth” of “six planned” alpha releases. Alpha release is basically a preview release made to test the new features, bug fixes and the release process.

During the alpha phase, new features can also be added up until the version is finally released for production.

Some of Major new features of the 3.10 version

I will list down some new features in 3.10 for now and will explain each one of them in separate post later.

• PEP 563 – Postponed Evaluation of Annotations Becomes Default
• PEP 618 – Addition of optional strict flag in zip() function, used to require that all input iterables to zip function have an equal length.
• PEP 604 – Allow writing union types as X | Y
• PEP 612 – Parameter Specification Variables
• PEP 626 – Precise line numbers for debugging and other tools.

The fifth alpha release of Python 3.10 will be 3.10.0a5, and is currently scheduled for 2021-02-01.

Some resources for Python

• Online Documentation
• PEP 619, 3.10 Release Schedule.

I will keep adding new posts related to Python new releases. And yes, This new release explanation for separate post is next.