Python 2 Will Die Soon – Know Why? | End of Python 2 in Jan 2020

Back late in 2006, when Python 3.0 came into introduction, the volunteers and officials felt the need that users should migrate from the old version (Python 2) to the newer version.

Since they did not want to hurt Python programmers, so they decided to end Python 2.0 in 2015. They officially announced this news late back in 2008 that sunset of Python 2 would take place in 2015.

“But thanks to Python lovers! they didn’t migrate to Python 3.0 in seven years of the deadline.”

Many of them did, but the vast majority didn’t. So, it was then decided to extend the end of Python 2 in 2020. And now the volunteers, as well as officials, are earnest for the concern of migrating from the older version to the newer one.

What is the deadline for migrating the source code of Python 2 to version 3.0?

Python 2 is going to die soon

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The effect shall start from the 1st of January, 2020. The Python Announcement Mailing List and The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), in August, has given the statement that organizations should migrate code off Python 2. Because of the effect from January 2020, it should never receive any security update.

Why is this necessary?

There are only a few obvious reasons for shutting down of Python 2 and that are:

  • Python 3 is not retrograde compatible with Python 2. As a result, significant changes in Python 3 are not portable with the older version.
  • Python Volunteers have also claimed that there are many improvements which Python 2 cannot handle.
  • Working on improvements with Python 2 and Python 3 simultaneously restricts users and volunteers to make Python language faster.

Another major reason that has faced major organizations was a change in the syntax of the print statement, which reduces much code. So, the majority of libraries and organizations were hesitant to migrate.

Further, in past years, Python 3 introduced substantial improvements that have helped itself to become the precise version but was not co-related with existing projects that are already working.

Consequences of not migrating to Python 3

If people continue using Python 2, it would be hard for volunteers and aid agencies to help resolve any issues. As a result, volunteers who use Python to make software cannot use new things in Python 3.

The security updates are further stopped for Python 2.0. If users receive any catastrophic security issue, volunteers cannot help them in any concern. Also, this could result in slowing down of software and other people who rely on particular software.

If any user still wishes to continue with Python 2, sooner or later they have to face issues which might lead to catastrophic situation and loss of data.

With no further security updates for Python 2, the declaration also states that your data and information would no longer be safe. So, it’s good to migrate as soon as possible.

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