Four month after releasing IPython 6.1 and 5.4, and a couple of hours after the release of the notebook 5.1, we are happy to announce the release of IPython 6.2 (Python 3 only), and it’s cousin IPython 5.5 still compatible with Python 2.7.
You can update now by using:
pip install --upgrade ipython
If you have a recent enough version of pip you will get the latest compatible version of IPython regardless of the version of Python you are running.
The conda packages are on their way; once available you will be able to update with:
conda install ipython
New Features
As IPython 6.2 and 5.5 are minor releases you will only find a small number of new features. When API additions were done on IPython 6.2 they were backported on 5.5 to simplify the maintenance of code compatible both with Python 2.7 and 3+. You can find the full list of new features in the changelog.
As a quick teaser, IPython 6.2 can now:
- Show function signature in the terminal while completing.
- Assignments can trigger the display mechanism
- IPdb can be called recursively
- Support for system-wide configuration
- Built-in support for Progress Bar.
Head there for more complete description.
Slowing down backports to 5.x
As stated on our roadmap, we’ll keep releasing a 5.x for some time, though starting at end of year. However, we will decrease our active involvement in fixing bugs affecting the 5.x branch. We will still accept PRs, and backport if you nicely ask us. Releases will happen occasionally if fixes are available, but we will be sunsetting the Python 2 support slowly.
If you are interested in further maintenance of the 5.x branch, we would love help with that work. Feel free to contact us on GitHub.
What’s next ?
We are going to start thinking about IPython 7, and start to embrace more of the Python 3 only features. Slowing down backports should allow us to be more confident that changes will not affect the automatic application of patches on old branches. Trimming down old legacy code may also help to regain some speed on interpreter startup, and should lead to plenty of opportunities for new contributors to join.
We will also try to simplify our documentation, and make often requested sections easier to find.
If you are looking for a project to contribute to – code, documentation, example, design, helping others, feel free to contact us so we can guide you through the process.
Enjoy this new release, and hope to see you around the mailing list and bug tracker!
Release of IPython 5.5 and 6.2 was originally published in Jupyter Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.