The Zen of Python
The Zen of Python is a reminder of how simplicity makes code better. Created by Tim Peters, these 19 aphorisms offer guidance on writing cleaner, more maintainable code. You can see them yourself by running:
import this
Too much code, too much stuff
Take minimalism, for example. During COVID, I ordered way too much stuff online. At the time, it seemed like a good idea. Boxes of joy would arrive at the house like Christmas morning. It wasn't that I needed these items; they just happened to fill the space. After COVID, the clutter got out of hand. I started curating my living space by removing excess and refining what I needed versus what clutters my life.
Too much stuff requires maintenance: dusting, organizing, and moving it around. As I decluttered, I found the space more relaxing. The same applies to code. When we remove unnecessary complexity, our projects become more manageable and enjoyable to work with. This experience with physical decluttering made me appreciate the wisdom in Python's approach to code simplicity.
Simplicity vs complexity in code
The Zen of Python encourages writing clean, readable, and efficient code instead of using brute-force or overly complex solutions. Some problems need complexity, but too much of it just makes things harder to work with. The key is finding a balance and keeping things simple when you can but accepting complexity when it’s needed.
I’m not a minimalist by any means, but I’ve tried to apply some of those ideas in my own way. Just like in coding, you don’t have to strip everything down to the bare minimum but build it enough to keep things clear and manageable. While these principles guide Python development, there's an interesting mystery that adds to their allure. Here is an example of complex vs simple.
# Complex way of nesting loops inside loops to generate numbers
# [0,1,2, 1,2,3, 2,3,4, 3,4,5, 4,5,6] with duplicates and everything
[x for sublist in [range(i, i+3) for i in range(5)] for x in sublist]
# Simple way gives you [0,1,2,3,4,5,6] directly
list(range(7)) 
The missing 20th Aphorism adds to the mystery
Some believe Guido van Rossum (Python’s creator) planned to add one but never did. Others think it was left out intentionally to let programmers reflect on what it should be. This mystery invites developers to think about their own guiding principles when writing code.
Coding has no one-size-fits-all approach
The Zen of Python is a good way to think about writing code, but it’s not a strict rulebook. Similar to living minimally, it depends on your specific circumstances and needs. A household with a family of four plus dogs will be organized differently than a 24-year-old bachelor's apartment. The same applies to code. Different projects require different approaches, but having guiding principles helps create better, more maintainable solutions.
If you want more practical best practices, check out PEP 8 (Python’s style guide). It pairs well with the Zen of Python.
Further Reading: