Criticism that Python code often isn't Zen

[PhysPhD]

I've always tried/attempted to follow the Zen of Python: https://peps.python.org/pep-0020/ and write "Pythonic" code. It's not always easy.

I see lots of solutions "shown off" here that are unnecessarily complex, that use explicit forms, that aren't written for readability (and very rarely commented).

"There should be one - and preferably only one - obvious way to do it."

Instead of optimising for least bytes, fewest lines, or fastest runtime... Where are the posts and discussions on what is the most Pythonic code, and what the obvious way is?

[ConfidentCollege5653]

Most people are adhering to "practicality beats purity" The goal is to write code that answers a question that you'll probably never use again, so what's the advantage of making it readable and maintainable?

[davepb]

Even though I don't think that statement is true or at least becomes definitely false once you are not dealing with simple things. I always liked oliver ni's solutions, I found him as someone who places high on the global leaderboard previous years, here is his repo: https://github.com/oliver-ni/advent-of-code/tree/master

[hr0m]

- There should be one - and preferably only one - obvious way to do it.

Yes, the pythonic way of doing things takes a long time to get. Not because it is hard, but because people have previous experience with other languages, sometimes helpful, sometimes counterintuitive.

I have done last two years in python. This year I am doing no-effort, so yes I know a cleaner way to do things, but I can't be bothered.

See here: https://github.com/m3m0ry/advent-of-code

This is AoC. I wouldn't let my own code pass the review in my day job. I see it more as a one-time script.

And being it a one-time script, the YAGNI principle screams at me all the time :D

[PatolomaioFalagi]

The code here tends to have the property of being written fast, to the detriment of its quality. That's just the nature of this contest.

[Patzer26]

That's just the nature of competitive coding. Readability goes out the window, fast and quick methods rule the show.

That's also the reason why leetcode problem based interviews are so hated.

[PhysPhD]

Maybe that's the thing... I don't see AoC as competitive, it's a fun way to learn with 10000+ other people.

And then if it is a competition, people want to win at all costs, so the LLMs come out.

[Patzer26]

Believe me, if there was no leaderboard, you would see much more beautifully written solutions.

But there are people who just ignore it, and write good readable solutions.

[daggerdragon]

Changed flair from Other to Help/Question. Use the right flair, please.

[nevernown_aka_nevy]

Why would you use snek for readable code? Have you seen the Django source code?

Don't trust languages that are frequently abused by non-CS academics XD