6 Essential Python Coding Habits Every Developer Should Master

When you are already a Python developer, you may have formed both good and bad habits. Clean, readable code is essential for long‑term success, so cultivating solid practices early on will benefit your entire career.

1. Follow PEP 8 Style Guide

PEP 8 is the official Python style guide that defines conventions for indentation, line length, naming, and more. Adhering to it makes code readable and consistent.

Use proper indentation.

Keep lines under 79 characters.

Insert line breaks where appropriate.

Separate functions, classes, and methods with blank lines.

Apply consistent naming conventions for variables, classes, and functions.

If you haven’t started yet, read the full PEP 8 guide and follow these tips.

2. Use the Latest Python Version

Python evolves through multiple releases; newer versions fix bugs and improve performance and security. Use Python 3 instead of the deprecated Python 2, and always check the minimum required version of third‑party packages.

3. Always Comment Your Code

Comments explain the intent behind code, helping you and others understand it later. In Python, use # for single‑line comments and triple quotes ( ''' ... ''') for multi‑line comments.

# This is a regular comment.
'''This is a multi-line comment.
To explain what the code is doing.
'''

Inline comments can appear on the same line as code:

print("Hello World. This is my first code.")  # This is how you create an inline comment

4. Use a Linter

A Python linter checks spacing, line length, and other style rules, keeping your code clean and consistent across files. Popular linters include Pylint, Flake8, Ruff, Xenon, and Radon. The screenshot below shows Ruff installed in VSCode.

5. Rely on Built‑in Functions and Libraries

Python provides many built‑in functions that save time and improve performance. Examples include:

append()

eval()

id()

max()

print()

round()

Example usage: print("Hello world I am coding.") Beyond built‑ins, Python’s extensive libraries (e.g., Requests, FastAPI, asyncio, aiohttp, Tkinter) can be imported to extend functionality.

6. Fix Code Issues Promptly

When you spot a problem, fix it immediately instead of postponing. Delaying bug fixes wastes time and can lead to accumulated errors. Use IDEs, linters, and Python’s logging module to detect and record issues early.

The logging module tracks events at runtime, helping you identify errors, debug, and understand program behavior, especially during testing or when external users interact with your application.

Practice Makes Perfect

Following Python best practices is always the right choice, but the best way to learn is by doing. Keep practicing the habits discussed here, read other developers’ source code, and continuously improve your coding skills.