DDL: Stupid Python Tricks

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# September 2025: Stupid Python Tricks

Python language design values predictability, regularity, and lack of surprise.

But.

Reality is complex, and even Python has weird corners and surprises, good and bad. Over years of introducing people to Python, Catherine has found many nooks and crannies. Let’s take a tour of the weird stuff that we try not to talk about when we’re introducing Python and trying to stay focused. Let’s see some Stupid Python Tricks.

Okay, they’re not always stupid. Often they’re instructive; sometimes they can be useful; sometimes knowing about them can protect you from bugs. But sometimes they’re just fun.

## Location: Innovation Hub

We meet in the Innovation Hub, a gorgeous new facility that’s part of the renovated Dayton Arcade complex.

Enter through the doors that face the Wright Stop Plaza bus hub.
Street parking is free in the evening. I usually park on Ludlow Street.
or
if for any reason coming downtown doesn’t work for you (for instance, you’ve been exposed to COVID, or you’ve converted yourself to purely digital format and now exist as a set of cloud-hosted algorithms), we’ll be online as well!

Join us at 7 PM EDT on the PyFri Discord channel, discord.gg/9SgTh3T, and click on the General voice chat link. You may need to install the Discord desktop app rather than just using the web interface.

DDL is dedicated to discussion of technology and techniques related to dynamic programming languages: Python, Perl, Ruby, PHP, JavaScript, and sometimes something more exotic! These languages are fun and easy to get started with, yet powerful enough for all manner of professional use, and our members span the full range of experience with them.

We always leave time for general conversation and questions. Come try one of the most interactive groups around!

The Dayton Dynamic Languages User Group meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9 PM. We have in person meetings at The Innovation Hub and we use Discord for a live feed of the meetings, using the General voice channel at https://discord.gg/9SgTh3T

http://d8ndl.org