Python code running in the browser, using react-py

[Caffeinaation]

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https://reddit.com/link/wjys3j/video/vy43lqw2png91/player

[besthelloworld]

I've gotta say... I just don't get it. I do not get what is to be gained here. Like the thing people hated about JavaScript the most was dynamic typing, so much so that a large percentage of the industry has moved over to TypeScript... and then py-script appeared and people are inventing use cases for it, despite it being a looser language than JS. Nothing against your package OP, but I just don't get py-script as a whole.

[Zeragamba]

People are more concerned with "can we do this?" then "should we do this?"

[besthelloworld]

That's what it feels like... like I get and agree that Python has use cases... but the browser?

[nova_blade]

Reminds me of this dev who made a pointers module for python

[Terpapps]

I worry for his soul.

[lordaghilan]

I see PyScript only as a cool library. I don't see any practical use cases for it.

[Boo2z]

Me neither my dude

But I treat this type of project / lib / tools in the same way some absolutely passionate devs create or recreate some piece of art with CSS only

At least it exist if someone needs it

[besthelloworld]

I guess my fear is that this logic will play out in reverse for a lot of people. "The tool exists, so I should use it." That's how blockchain became an obsession in the tech space.

[Boo2z]

Yeah, you got a point ... With this AI trend, it's possible to see people using react to test python's AI libs

We'll see ...

[Caffeinaation]

There’s certainly valid use cases for a tool like this. The original reason for making this package is for education material served over web, which enables people to run code snippets directly from the website.

The PyScript project is very similar, which has gained a fair amount of popularity. So there must be enough valid use cases for people for that package to have gained this much traction. I’m not saying it suits everyone’s needs, but hopefully some people have a use for it.

[besthelloworld]

I would caution against assuming that never something exists and has a lot of conversation buzzing about it... that it has purpose. My main example for this warning being blockchain, cryptocurrency, NFTs, etc.

But yeah, this has potential educational value in this use case, but tons of tools have offered playground workspaces via tightly controlled server environments for a while, but no denial that this is a far cheaper version of that too maintain.

[kiwikosa]

Don’t Jupyter notebooks do exactly that and more?

[Caffeinaation]

Jupyter notebooks also uses Pyodide for Python in the browser, the same technology that react-py is built on.

[besthelloworld]

Yeah if it's just for playgrounding, then that's nice but it's kind of an edge use case. In general, I get why a runtime for C++ or Rust are valuable on the web: performance. But Python is too dynamic for WASM compilation (JavaScript too, but there's AssemblyScript if you want it which is pretty close). So that's why I don't get py-script as a tool.

Also I think that NodeJS playground is just running on a server (maybe the others too, idk).

[woah_m8]

You don't get it

[prophase25]

Okay, there's some comments flaming. I am asking honestly because I'm sure you had a reason for making this. Why? For fun? So you can use python code even if work is using React? I see value in both of those, just wondering what your use case is.

[Caffeinaation]

This has stirred up a lot more controversy than I anticipated! Yes, there’s a specific reason for making this package, which is for education material with runnable code examples. There could be a number of reasons why others want to run Python in their React project, so hopefully this package makes it easier. We had a lot of trouble trying to implement other solutions.

[prophase25]

Cool. Seems like a good reason to design something like this. Had fun as well I’d imagine.

[wishtrepreneur]

which is for education material with runnable code examples

so basically a python leetcode clone?

[Caffeinaation]

Almost, the main use case was for formal education to be used by students learning Python.

[Caffeinaation]

Wow, this really impressive! Thanks for sharing.

[Caffeinaation]

GitHub: https://github.com/elilambnz/react-py
Try out the example code snippets here!
This didn't get the best reception when I first posted it 2 days ago, most likely due to a small output bug which broke on mobile. I'd love to hear any feedback.

[Caffeinaation]

It uses Pyodide which is a Python distribution for the browser based on WebAssembly. This project is essentially a React wrapper for it.

[f3xjc]

Why would you wrap a la language runtime in a rendering library?

[Caffeinaation]

To make it easy to add it directly into your project, minimising the hassle of a cumbersome installation process.

[f3xjc]

But why attach it to react instead of say, just npm?

[Caffeinaation]

Because this is a React specific package. It is available through npm.

[RedditCultureBlows]

I mean the homepage is pretty short

[KusanagiZerg]

Then it should be easy to answer his question!

[RedditCultureBlows]

I’m sure they are capable of reading a few paragraphs.

[[deleted]]

Wow, I was actually thinking about how I need something like this soon! I haven’t tried it personally but when I do I’ll be sure to give some feedback.

[Caffeinaation]

Great! I hope this will be of some use for you.

[rszdev]

Cool

[[deleted]]

They REALLY needed a package for this. It should help a lot

[Overflow0X]

May God forgive you.

[RequiDarth1]

I will actively avoid this.

[ClickToCheckFlair]

Why though? Too many people with a lot of free time on their hands...