Superset: Boost Performance With Python 3.12 Support

Hey everyone! We've got some really exciting news to chat about today regarding Superset and its journey to embrace Python 3.12. You know how important it is for our favorite data visualization tool to stay cutting-edge, right? Well, Python 3.12 dropped last October, bringing with it a whole host of performance improvements and new features that we absolutely want Superset to leverage. It's all about making Superset faster, more efficient, and ready for whatever your Python environment throws at it. So, let's dive into why adding Python 3.12 support is not just a nice-to-have, but a crucial step forward for all of us.

Why Python 3.12 for Superset is a Big Deal (Motivation)

The motivation behind adding Python 3.12 support to Superset is pretty straightforward, guys: we want to keep Superset at the forefront of modern data tools. Currently, Superset comfortably cruises along with Python 3.10 and 3.11, but Python 3.12, released in October 2023, is the new kid on the block, packed with some serious upgrades. As more and more organizations upgrade their Python environments, it's absolutely critical that Superset doesn't just keep up, but leads the pack. We don't want anyone getting stuck because their Superset setup can't run on the latest Python version. Think about it: better performance, newer features, and a more streamlined developer experience are all on the table with Python 3.12, thanks to optimizations like the per-interpreter GIL and faster startup times.

Supporting Python 3.12 means tackling some really interesting technical challenges, too. It's not just a flip of a switch; we're talking about navigating breaking changes in core dependencies and adapting to evolving APIs that have shifted between Python versions. This involves a meticulous process of updating dependency constraints to ensure everything plays nicely together. Key libraries like pandas and SQLAlchemy, which are central to how Superset interacts with data, have seen some API evolutions, meaning we'll need to adapt our code to use their most current best practices. This isn't just about making things work; it's about making them work better and more robustly. Furthermore, our continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipeline needs to be expanded to validate compatibility across all supported Python versions, including 3.12. This kind of work is essential for keeping Superset modern, maintainable, and, frankly, awesome as the Python ecosystem continues its rapid evolution. We're investing in the future, ensuring Superset remains a powerful and accessible tool for everyone.

The Current Roadblock: Why Superset Isn't Playing Nice with Python 3.12 (Current Behavior)

Right now, if you try to get Superset up and running on a Python 3.12 environment, you're going to hit a bit of a snag, folks. The unfortunate current behavior is that Superset simply cannot run reliably on Python 3.12. This isn't because Superset itself is fundamentally incompatible, but rather due to a combination of outdated dependency versions and some lingering usage of deprecated API patterns within our codebase. It’s like trying to put a square peg in a round hole – things just don't fit smoothly yet. The project's existing CI/CD workflows are currently only set up to test against Python 3.10 and 3.11, meaning we haven't had the automated guardrails in place to catch these 3.12-specific issues. Plus, our package metadata hasn't officially declared Python 3.12 as a supported version, so the Python package ecosystem isn't guiding users towards compatible setups.

Let me break down how these issues manifest when you attempt to use Superset on Python 3.12. Imagine you set up a fresh Python 3.12 environment, all eager to get going. The moment you try to install Superset's dependencies using our current requirements/base.txt and pyproject.toml files, you'll likely run into problems. Installation often fails outright or throws a bunch of warnings because crucial dependencies like numpy, pandas, and tabulate haven't yet been updated to versions that are fully compatible with Python 3.12. It’s a common issue in rapidly evolving ecosystems, where upstream libraries need time to catch up. Even if, by some miracle, you manage to get everything installed, running Superset and executing database queries that rely on pandas is where the real headaches begin. You'll likely encounter runtime errors because of deprecated pandas API usage, specifically when using pd.read_sql_query without the proper connection context. This is a subtle but critical change in how pandas expects database interactions to be handled, and our code hasn't fully adapted yet. To confirm these issues, if you peek into our CI/CD workflows in .github/workflows/, you'd observe that there's simply no Python 3.12 testing configured in the test matrix, which means these problems aren't being caught before they hit eager users. It's a clear signal that we need to upgrade our systems to truly embrace Python 3.12.

The Dream Scenario: What Superset on Python 3.12 Should Look Like (Expected Behavior)

So, what's the dream here, folks? The expected behavior is that Superset should fully support Python 3.12, standing proudly alongside its existing support for Python 3.10 and 3.11. This means a seamless experience for you, the users, regardless of your chosen Python version. We envision a world where all dependencies resolve correctly without a hitch, the application launches and runs without any nasty errors or warnings, and our robust CI/CD pipelines are constantly validating this compatibility. When we talk about full support, we're talking about a Superset that feels native and natural on Python 3.12, offering all the performance benefits and stability that come with the latest Python runtime.

To make this dream a reality, we’ve laid out some clear acceptance criteria that serve as our roadmap. First off, Python 3.12 will be officially declared as a supported version in our pyproject.toml classifiers. This isn't just a formality; it's a clear signal to the Python ecosystem and to all of you that we're committed to this version. Second, and crucially, all dependency constraints must be updated to versions that are fully compatible with Python 3.12. This includes key libraries like numpy, pandas, tabulate, and any of their transitive dependencies that might be causing friction. We're talking about a complete dependency overhaul to ensure everything plays nicely together. Third, any code currently using deprecated pandas APIs will be updated to leverage current best practices, especially regarding proper connection context management when interacting with databases. This modernization isn't just about fixing bugs; it's about improving the robustness and future-proofing of Superset's data handling capabilities. Finally, our CI/CD workflows, encompassing pre-commit checks, unit tests, and integration tests, will be expanded to include Python 3.12 in their test matrix. This means that every code change will be automatically validated against Python 3.12, ensuring that we never regress on compatibility. And, of course, the ultimate goal is that all existing tests pass on Python 3.12 without any errors or warnings related to version incompatibility. When these criteria are met, we'll know we've achieved a truly seamless and stable Superset experience on Python 3.12.

Making it Happen: The Nitty-Gritty Details of Python 3.12 Integration

Dependency Overhaul: Getting Our Libraries in Line

One of the biggest hurdles in bringing Python 3.12 compatibility to Superset is the careful and often painstaking process of dependency management. As you know, Superset relies on a vast ecosystem of open-source libraries, and when a new Python version like 3.12 drops, it means many of these upstream libraries need to release their own compatible versions. Our job is to ensure that all of Superset's core libraries are aligned with Python 3.12. This isn't just about picking the newest version; it's about finding versions that are both compatible with Python 3.12 and with each other. We're talking about crucial packages like numpy, which is fundamental for numerical operations, pandas, the powerhouse for data manipulation, and tabulate, used for pretty printing data. If these foundational libraries aren't compatible, Superset simply won't run. The process involves meticulously updating our pyproject.toml and requirements/base.txt files, carefully specifying the correct, compatible versions. This is a critical step, because if one dependency is out of sync, it can create a cascading failure across the entire application. We also need to consider transitive dependencies – the dependencies of our dependencies – to ensure a truly stable environment. This thorough dependency update ensures that when you install Superset in a Python 3.12 environment, everything resolves smoothly, without conflicts or cryptic error messages. It's about providing a solid, unbreakable foundation for your data exploration, and it's a testament to our commitment to a robust Superset experience.

Code Modernization: Saying Goodbye to Old Habits

Beyond just getting the right versions of libraries, another vital piece of the puzzle for Python 3.12 support in Superset involves a little bit of code refactoring. Specifically, we're talking about addressing instances where our code might be using deprecated APIs, especially within the pandas library. Remember when I mentioned the pd.read_sql_query issue? Well, that's a prime example of where we need to embrace pandas best practices. In older versions, you might have called pd.read_sql_query directly with a connection string or an engine without explicitly managing the connection context. However, modern pandas (and good Python practice in general) encourages using a proper connection context, often through SQLAlchemy engines or dedicated connection objects. This isn't just a stylistic change; it's about improving resource management, preventing connection leaks, and making the code more robust and predictable. Updating these patterns means ensuring that Superset's interactions with databases are as efficient and error-free as possible, regardless of the Python version. It’s a step towards deeper Superset code modernization, ensuring our database query operations are not only compatible with Python 3.12 but also adhere to the highest standards of software engineering. By doing this, we're making Superset more resilient, easier to maintain, and ready to handle complex data queries without breaking a sweat, ultimately delivering a smoother experience for everyone. This kind of diligent updating is what truly solidifies Python 3.12's place within Superset.

Fortifying Superset with Robust CI/CD

Alright, folks, once we've got the dependencies updated and the code modernized, how do we make sure it stays compatible with Python 3.12? That's where robust CI/CD pipeline integration comes into play. For Superset's Python 3.12 support to be truly reliable, we need to bake it right into our automated testing infrastructure. Currently, our CI/CD workflows run checks for Python 3.10 and 3.11, but Python 3.12 needs to join that party! This means updating our .github/workflows/ configuration files to include Python 3.12 in the test matrix. What does this mean in practice? It means every time a new piece of code is submitted, or a change is made, our automated systems will automatically spin up an environment with Python 3.12 and run all our tests against it. This includes our pre-commit checks, which catch common code style and basic syntax issues early, our comprehensive unit tests that verify individual components, and our more extensive integration tests that ensure different parts of Superset work together seamlessly.

This continuous, automated validation is absolutely critical because it acts as our digital watchdog, catching any potential regressions or incompatibilities before they ever make it into a release. We want to ensure that if something breaks for Python 3.12, we know about it immediately. This approach drastically reduces the chances of users encountering issues after an upgrade, and it allows our developers to move faster with confidence, knowing that their changes aren't inadvertently breaking support for a crucial Python version. By fortifying Superset with this level of automated testing for Python 3.12, we're not just fixing a one-time problem; we're building a sustainable foundation for future development. It's about ensuring high quality, providing continuous value, and maintaining the stability that you, our users, have come to expect from Superset. This continuous verification is what truly makes Superset reliable with Python 3.12.

How We'll Know We've Succeeded: Verification Steps

Knowing when we've truly achieved full Python 3.12 support for Superset is essential, and we've got a solid plan for verification. It’s a combination of hands-on testing, automated checks, and thorough dependency scans, ensuring no stone is left unturned. This isn't just about passing a few tests; it's about confirming a stable, high-quality experience for every user. We're committed to making sure that when we say Superset supports Python 3.12, it genuinely works.

Hands-On Testing: Your Manual Checklist

For those of you who like to roll up your sleeves, we'll be asking for some manual testing to confirm Superset's stability on Python 3.12. First, you'll create a fresh Python 3.12 virtual environment. This ensures a clean slate, free from any conflicting installations. Next, you'll install Superset directly from our updated requirements: a simple pip install -r requirements/base.txt should do the trick. The key here is to verify that the installation completes without any errors. No cryptic messages, no unexpected warnings – just a clean install. After that, fire up Superset, navigate to a chart that queries a database, and verify that the chart renders successfully without any pandas-related errors. This step is crucial because it tests the core data retrieval and visualization capabilities that rely heavily on the updated libraries. Finally, confirm that all your database query operations complete successfully. These manual checks are invaluable for catching subtle UI or workflow issues that automated tests might miss, giving us confidence in Superset's readiness for Python 3.12.

Automated Guards: Our Digital Watchdogs

Beyond manual checks, our automated testing suite will serve as the primary quality assurance for Superset on Python 3.12. We'll run our pre-commit workflow, observing that it now correctly executes against Python 3.12. Then, the full battery of tests will be deployed: pytest tests/unit_tests/ and pytest tests/integration_tests/ will be run within a Python 3.12 environment. The critical part here is to verify that all test suites pass with the same success rate as Python 3.11. This ensures that the new Python version doesn't introduce any regressions or unexpected behaviors. Finally, we'll meticulously check the CI/CD pipeline runs to confirm that all three Python versions – 3.10, 3.11, and 3.12 – successfully pass their respective tests. This layered approach of automated validation is what gives us absolute confidence in the stability and reliability of Superset with Python 3.12 support.

Keeping Dependencies in Check: The pip check Sanity Test

Last but not least, to ensure a truly stable Superset on Python 3.12, we'll perform a final round of dependency sanity checks. In a Python 3.12 environment, we'll run pip check. This command is incredibly useful because it verifies that all installed packages have compatible dependencies. It’s a quick way to catch any lingering conflicts that might have slipped through. We'll specifically verify that numpy, pandas, and tabulate versions are indeed compatible with Python 3.12. Furthermore, we'll confirm that no deprecation warnings appear during test execution that are related to pandas or SQLAlchemy usage. These meticulous checks are vital to guarantee that the environment is pristine, robust, and free from potential future headaches, solidifying Superset's foundation with Python 3.12.

Wrapping It Up: The Future of Superset with Python 3.12

Alright, folks, that's the lowdown on our journey to bring Python 3.12 support to Superset. This isn't just a technical upgrade; it's a commitment to keeping Superset a modern, high-performing, and accessible tool for everyone in the data community. By embracing Python 3.12, we're not only unlocking performance improvements and new features but also ensuring that Superset remains compatible with evolving enterprise environments. We’ve talked about the crucial steps: updating dependencies, modernizing our code to handle new API best practices, and fortifying our development process with robust CI/CD testing across all supported Python versions. The goal is a seamless, error-free experience that empowers you to visualize and explore your data with the latest and greatest Python has to offer. So, get ready for a faster, more efficient Superset experience, because the future with Python 3.12 is looking pretty bright! Let's keep making Superset awesome, together!