pyodide

Introduction to Pyodide

Pyodide brings Python to the browser and Node.js environments by leveraging the power of WebAssembly. It is essentially a port of CPython, the reference implementation of Python, allowing developers to run Python code directly in web environments without needing a server backend.

What is Pyodide?

At its core, Pyodide transforms Python into a version that can operate within web browsers through WebAssembly and Emscripten. This transformation allows Python packages to be used directly in browser settings. With the use of micropip, a Python package installer tailored for Pyodide, any pure Python package with a wheel available on PyPI can be readily utilized. Additionally, many packages requiring C extensions, such as NumPy, pandas, SciPy, and scikit-learn, have been adapted for Pyodide compatibility.

One of Pyodide's standout features is its seamless integration between JavaScript and Python. This robust foreign function interface supports bidirectional integration with error handling and async/await functionality, among other features. Moreover, when used within a browser, Python can interact directly with Web APIs, making it a potent tool for developers looking to incorporate Python logic and libraries into their web applications.

Trying Pyodide

An exciting aspect of Pyodide is the ability to try it instantly without any installation. Users can access Pyodide through an online REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop), which is accessible on the Pyodide website. This interactive console lets users experiment with Python code in their browser, demonstrating Pyodide's capabilities directly.

Getting Started

Depending on the user's needs and preferences, Pyodide offers several ways to get started:

1. Use a Hosted Distribution: This is a quick way to begin, leveraging pre-hosted resources documented in the Pyodide Getting Started guide.

2. Download and Serve: Users can download a version of Pyodide directly from its releases page and serve it via a web server for more control over its environment.

3. Build from Source: For those interested in diving deeper or contributing, Pyodide can be built from the source. This can be done using make on Linux systems or employing a Docker image, which is particularly handy for Windows and macOS users.

History

Pyodide was initially created by Michael Droettboom in 2018 as a part of the Iodide project, a Mozilla initiative aimed at creating a web-based notebook for scientific computing. Although Iodide is no longer actively maintained, Pyodide continues to evolve, offering users a pathway to use Python in client-side interactive notebooks and other environments.

Contributing to Pyodide

As an open-source project driven by its community, Pyodide welcomes contributions. Whether it's fixing bugs, adding new features, or improving documentation, there are numerous ways for contributors to get involved. Guidance on the contribution process and the project’s governance is available in the contributing guide.

Communication and Community

Pyodide maintains a vibrant community and multiple channels for communication and updates:

• Blog: Regular updates and insights are shared on the Pyodide blog.
• Mailing List: Users can join the mailing list to participate in discussions and keep updated with project developments.
• Social Media and Forums: Pyodide interacts with its user base via Twitter, Stack Overflow, and Discord, offering support and fostering community interaction.

Licensing

Pyodide is distributed under the Mozilla Public License Version 2.0, ensuring that it remains open and freely available to the user community while maintaining a high standard of code integrity and transparency.