The Community
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BDFL
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Guido van Rossum, the creator of Python, is often referred to as the BDFL — the Benevolent Dictator For Life.
Python Software Foundation
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The mission of the Python Software Foundation is to promote, protect, and advance the Python programming language, and to support and facilitate the growth of a diverse and international community of Python programmers.
`Learn More about the PSF `_.
PEPs
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PEPs are *Python Enhancement Proposals*. They describe changes to Python itself, or the standards around it.
There are three different types of PEPs (as defined by `PEP1 `_):
**Standards**
Describes a new feature or implementation.
**Informational**
Describes a design issue, general guidelines, or information to the community.
**Process**
Describes a process related to Python.
Notable PEPs
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There are a few PEPs that could be considered required reading:
- `PEP8 `_: The Python Style Guide.
Read this. All of it. Follow it.
- `PEP20 `_: The Zen of Python.
A list of 19 statements that briefly explain the philosophy behind Python.
- `PEP257 `_: Docstring Conventions.
Gives guidelines for semantics and conventions associated with Python docstrings.
You can read more at `The PEP Index `_.
Submitting a PEP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PEPs are peer-reviewed and accepted/rejected after much discussion. Anyone can write and submit a PEP for review.
Here's an overview of the PEP acceptance workflow:
.. image:: http://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0001/pep-0001-1.png
Python Conferences
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The major events for the Python community are developer conferences. The two most notable conferences are PyCon, which is held in the US, and its European sibling, EuroPython.
A comprehensive list of conferences is maintained `at pycon.org `_.
Python User Groups
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User Groups are where a bunch of Python developers meet to present or talk about Python topics of interest. A list of local user groups is maintained at the `Python Software Foundation Wiki `_.
Plone Community
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#TODO: write about the Plone community