[TOOLING]: Upgrade to python 3.13.5 (#4094)

* Upgraded versions of Python for base image and for version matrix.

* Upgraded refrences to supported Python versions and generally edited and updated links and docs.

* Updated doc to reflect new fixes and changes in representer code.

* Updated refrences to supported Python versions and changes to tooling and linting.

* Updated lnks and refrences.

* Updated pylintrc to match the analyzer pylintrc.  Updated libs and python versions in requirements.

* Changed requirements for generator to later version of dateutils and regenerated test files.

* Regenerated test files this time with Python 3.13.5 Black, to match CI.

* Added dateutil back in.  Evidently, the generator needs it.

Author: BethanyG

.github/workflows/ci-workflow.yml

@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ name: Exercises check
 on:
   push:
     branches:
-      - master
       - main
   pull_request:
 
@@ -19,7 +18,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@a309ff8b426b58ec0e2a45f0f869d46889d02405
       with:
-        python-version: 3.11.2
+        python-version: 3.13.5
 
     - name: Download & Install dependencies
       run: |
@@ -53,20 +52,16 @@ jobs:
     needs: housekeeping
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python-version: [3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10.6, 3.11.2]
+        python-version: [3.10.6, 3.11.2, 3.12, 3.13.5]
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd
 
     - uses: actions/setup-python@a309ff8b426b58ec0e2a45f0f869d46889d02405
       with:
         python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
-    - name: Install dataclasses package
-      if: ${{ matrix.python-version == '3.6' }}
-      run: pip install dataclasses
-
     - name: Install pytest
-      run: pip install pytest~=7.2.2
+      run: pip install pytest~=8.4.0
 
     - name: Check exercises
       run: |

.github/workflows/test-runner.yml

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ on:
 
 jobs:
   test-runner:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd
       - name: Run test-runner

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -32,9 +32,9 @@ Hi.  👋🏽  👋  **We are happy you are here.**  🎉&nb
 **`exercism/Python`** is one of many programming language tracks on [exercism(dot)org][exercism-website].  
 This repo holds all the instructions, tests, code, & support files for Python _exercises_ currently under development or implemented & available for students.
 
-🌟   Track exercises support Python `3.7` - `3.11.5`.
+🌟   Track exercises support Python `3.10` - `3.13.5`.
 Exceptions to this support are noted where they occur.  
-🌟   Track tooling (_test-runner, representer, analyzer, and Continuous Integration_) runs on Python `3.11.2`.
+🌟   Track tooling (_test-runner, representer, analyzer, and Continuous Integration_) runs on Python `3.13.5`.
 
 Exercises are grouped into **concept** exercises which teach the [Python syllabus][python-syllabus], and **practice** exercises, which are unlocked by progressing in the syllabus tree  🌴 .
 Concept exercises are constrained to a small set of language or syntax features.
@@ -71,15 +71,14 @@ We're leaving the track contributing docs below for our long-term collaborators
 <p vertical-align="middle"><h2 id="in-general">In General</h2></p>
 <br>
 
-- Maintainers are happy to review your work and help troubleshoot with you.&nbsp;💛&nbsp;💙&nbsp;
+- Maintainers are happy to review your work and help troubleshoot with you.&nbsp;💛&nbsp;💙&nbsp; If you need help, comment in the Pull Request/issue.&nbsp; 🙋🏽‍♀️ &nbsp;
+  - **Please wait at least 72 hours before pinging or `@`ing reviewers directly.**
   - Requests are reviewed as soon as is practical/possible.
-  - (❗&nbsp;) Reviewers may be in a different timezone&nbsp;⌚&nbsp;, or tied up &nbsp;🧶&nbsp; with other tasks.
-  - **Please wait at least 72 hours before pinging.**
-- If you need help, comment in the Pull Request/issue.&nbsp; 🙋🏽‍♀️ &nbsp;
+  - (❗&nbsp;) Keep in mind that reviewers may be in a different timezone&nbsp;⌚&nbsp;, or tied up &nbsp;🧶&nbsp; with other tasks.
 - If you would like in-progress feedback/discussion, please mark your Pull Request as a **`[draft]`**
 - Pull Requests should be focused around a single exercise, issue, or change.
 - Pull Request titles and descriptions should make clear **what** has changed and **why**.
-  - Please link &nbsp;🔗&nbsp; to any related issues the PR addresses.
+  - Please link &nbsp;🔗&nbsp; to any related forum discussions or issues the PR addresses.
 - 📛&nbsp;[ Open an issue ][open-an-issue]📛&nbsp; and discuss it with &nbsp;🧰 &nbsp;maintainers _**before**_:
   - creating a Pull Request making significant or breaking changes.
   - for changes across multiple exercises, even if they are typos or small.
@@ -204,13 +203,13 @@ _We know it, and trust us, we are working on fixing it._ But if you see &nbsp;
 
 <br>
 
-This track officially supports Python `3.7 - 3.11.2` for students completing exercises.  
-The track `test runner`, `analyzer`, and `representer` run in docker on `python:3.11.2-slim`.
+This track officially supports Python `3.10 - 3.13.5` for students completing exercises.  
+The track `test runner`, `analyzer`, and `representer` run in docker on `python:3.13.5-alpine3.22`.
 
 Although the majority of test cases are written using `unittest.TestCase`,
 
-- All exercises should be written for compatibility with Python `3.7` - `3.11.2`.
-- Version backward _incompatibility_ (_e.g_ an exercise using features introduced in `3.8`, `3.9`, or `3.10`) should be clearly noted in any exercise hints, links, introductions or other notes.
+- All exercises should be written for compatibility with Python `3.10` - `3.13.5`.
+- Version backward _incompatibility_ (_e.g_ an exercise using features introduced in Python `3.10`+ that would not work in Python `3.10`) should be clearly noted in any exercise hints, links, introductions or other notes.
 
 - Here is an example of how the Python documentation handles [version-tagged &nbsp;🏷&nbsp;][version-tagged-language-features] feature introduction.
 
@@ -231,7 +230,7 @@ Although the majority of test cases are written using `unittest.TestCase`,
 
 - For specifications, refer to [Concept Exercise Anatomy][concept-exercise-anatomy], or [Practice Exercise Anatomy][practice-exercise-anatomy] depending on which type of exercise you are contributing to.
 
-- **Practice exercise**, descriptions and instructions come from a centralized, cross-track [problem specifications][problem-specifications] repository.
+- **Practice exercise** descriptions and instructions come from a centralized, cross-track [problem specifications][problem-specifications] repository.
 
   - Any updates or changes need to be proposed/approved in `problem-specifications` first.
   - If Python-specific changes become necessary, they need to be appended to the canonical instructions by creating a `instructions.append.md` file in this (`exercism/Python`) repository.

README.md

@@ -34,9 +34,9 @@ Hi.  👋🏽  👋  **We are happy you are here.**  🎉&nb
 **`exercism/Python`** is one of many programming language tracks on [exercism(dot)org][exercism-website].
 This repo holds all the instructions, tests, code, & support files for Python _exercises_ currently under development or implemented & available for students.
 
-🌟   Track exercises support Python `3.7` - `3.11.5`.
+🌟   Track exercises support Python `3.10` - `3.13.5`.
 Exceptions to this support are noted where they occur.  
-🌟   Track tooling (_test-runner, representer, analyzer, and Continuous Integration_) runs on Python `3.11.5`.
+🌟   Track tooling (_test-runner, representer, analyzer, and Continuous Integration_) runs on Python `3.13.5`.
 
 Exercises are grouped into **concept** exercises which teach the [Python syllabus][python-syllabus], and **practice** exercises, which are unlocked by progressing in the syllabus tree  🌴 .
 Concept exercises are constrained to a small set of language or syntax features.
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ _Thoughtful suggestions will likely result in faster & more enthusiastic respons
 
 ## Python Software and Documentation
 
-**Copyright © 2001-2025 Python Software Foundation. All rights reserved.**
+**Copyright © 2001-2026 Python Software Foundation. All rights reserved.**
 
 Python software and documentation are licensed under the [PSF License Agreement][psf-license].
 

docs/ABOUT.md

@@ -20,14 +20,14 @@ Code can be written and executed from the command line, in an interactive interp
 The [zen of Python (PEP 20)][the zen of python] and [What is Pythonic?][what is pythonic] lay out additional philosophies and perspectives on the language.
 
 
-Tests and tooling for this track currently support `3.7` - `3.11.2` (_tests_) and [`Python 3.11.2`][311-new-features] (_tooling_).
-It is highly recommended that students upgrade to at least `Python 3.8`, as some features used by this track may not be supported in earlier versions.
+Tests and tooling for this track currently support `3.10` - `3.13.5` (_tests_) and [`Python 3.13.5`][313-new-features] (_tooling_).
+It is highly recommended that students upgrade to at least `Python 3.10`, as some features used by this track may not be supported in earlier versions.
 That being said, most of the exercises will work with `Python 3.6+`, or even earlier versions.
 But we don't guarantee support for versions not listed under [Active Python Releases][active-python-releases].
 We will try to note when a feature is only available in a certain version.
 
 
-Complete documentation for the current release of Python (3.11.x) can be found at [docs.python.org][python docs].
+Complete documentation for the current release of Python (3.13.x) can be found at [docs.python.org][python docs].
 
 - [Python Tutorial][python tutorial]
 - [Python Library Reference][python library reference]
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ Complete documentation for the current release of Python (3.11.x) can be found a
 - [Python Glossary of Terms][python glossary of terms]
 
 
-[311-new-features]: https://docs.python.org/3/whatsnew/3.11.html
-[active-python-releases]: https://www.python.org/downloads/
+[313-new-features]: https://docs.python.org/3/whatsnew/3.13.html
+[active-python-releases]: https://devguide.python.org/versions/#full-chart
 [duck typing]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_typing
 [dynamic typing in python]: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11328920/is-python-strongly-typed
 [editors for python]: https://djangostars.com/blog/python-ide/
@@ -49,16 +49,16 @@ Complete documentation for the current release of Python (3.11.x) can be found a
 [peps]: https://www.python.org/dev/peps/
 [psf membership]: https://www.python.org/psf/membership/
 [psf]: https://www.python.org/psf/
-[python docs]: https://docs.python.org/3/
-[python faqs]: https://docs.python.org/3/faq/index.html
+[python docs]: https://docs.python.org/3.13/
+[python faqs]: https://docs.python.org/3.13/faq/index.html
 [python for beginners]: https://www.python.org/about/gettingstarted/
 [python glossary of terms]: https://docs.python.org/3/glossary.html
-[python how tos]: https://docs.python.org/3/howto/index.html
+[python how tos]: https://docs.python.org/3.13/howto/index.html
 [python is used extensively]: https://www.python.org/about/apps/
-[python language reference]: https://docs.python.org/3/reference/index.html
-[python library reference]: https://docs.python.org/3/library/index.html
-[python tutorial]: https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/index.html
-[significant indentation]: https://docs.python.org/3/reference/lexical_analysis.html#indentation
+[python language reference]: https://docs.python.org/3.13/reference/index.html
+[python library reference]: https://docs.python.org/3.13/library/index.html
+[python tutorial]: https://docs.python.org/3.13/tutorial/index.html
+[significant indentation]: https://docs.python.org/3.13/reference/lexical_analysis.html#indentation
 [the zen of python]: https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0020/
 [type hints]: https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html
 [what is pythonic]: https://blog.startifact.com/posts/older/what-is-pythonic.html

docs/INSTALLATION.md

@@ -14,24 +14,25 @@ Some quick links into the documentation by operating system:
 
 -  [Windows][windows] Additionally, this Microsoft article on [installing Python on windows][python-on-windows] is helpful.
 -  [Unix & Linux Systems][unix-and-linux] (_these largely work for MacOS as well_)
--  [MacOS][macos] : **This is outdated.**
-   We recommend reviewing some of the methods outlined in the Real Python article [Installing Python][installing-python] or the articles by Brett Cannon linked above.
+-  [MacOS][macos]
 
+   We also recommend reviewing some of the methods outlined in the Real Python article [Installing Python][installing-python] or the articles by Brett Cannon linked above.
 
-Exercism tests and tooling currently support `3.7` - `3.11.5` (_tests_) and [`Python 3.11.5`][311-new-features] (_tooling_).
+
+Exercism tests and tooling currently support `3.10` - `3.13.5` (_tests_) and [`Python 3.13.5`][313-new-features] (_tooling_).
 Exceptions to this support are noted where they occur.
 Most of the exercises will work with `Python 3.6+`, or even earlier versions.
 But we don't guarantee support for versions not listed under [Active Python Releases][active-python-releases].
 
 
-Please refer to the [Python 3.11.x documentation][3.11 docs] for what is currently supported.
+Please refer to the [Python 3.13.x documentation][3.13 docs] for what is currently supported.
 
-[3.11 docs]: https://docs.python.org/3.11/
-[311-new-features]: https://docs.python.org/3/whatsnew/3.11.html
+[3.13 docs]: https://docs.python.org/3.13/
+[313-new-features]: https://docs.python.org/3/whatsnew/3.13.html
 [Python-three downloads]: https://www.python.org/downloads/
 [active-python-releases]: https://www.python.org/downloads/
 [helpful guide]: https://realpython.com/installing-python/
-[installing-python]: https://realpython.com/installing-python/#what-your-options-are_1
+[installing-python]: https://realpython.com/installing-python/
 [macos]: https://docs.python.org/3/using/mac.html
 [python-m-pip]: https://snarky.ca/why-you-should-use-python-m-pip/
 [python-on-windows]: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/python/beginners

docs/LEARNING.md

@@ -13,14 +13,19 @@ Below you will find some additional jumping-off places to start your learning jo
 
 
 - [Python Documentation Tutorial][Python Documentation Tutorial]
+- [Stanford Code in Place Course][code in place]
+- [Stanford Code in Place Self-Guided][cip self guided]
 - [Automate the Boring Stuff with Python (_book_)][automate the boring stuff]
-- [Automate the Boring Stuff Videos (_covers first 15 book chapters_)][automate the videos]
+- [Automate the Boring Stuff with Python Workbook (_exercises_)][automate the boring stuff workbook]
+- [Think Python][Think Python]
+- [Beyond the Basic Stuff with Python][beyond the basics]
+- [Beyond the Basic Stuff with Python Video][beyond the basics video]
+- [Python Programming Exercises, Gently Explained][PPEG]
+- [Python for Non-Programmers][python-for-non-programmers]
 - [Learn X in Y minutes (where X = Python3)][Learn X in Y minutes]
 - [Python at Free Code Camp][python at free code camp]
+- [Python at Khan Academy][python at kahn academy]
 - [Intro to Python (_python-course.eu_)][python-course.eu]
-- [Think Python][Think Python]
-- [Python for Non-Programmers][python-for-non-programmers]
-- [Python 4 Everyone][python4everyone]
 - [Googles Python Class][googles python class]
 - [Microsoft's Python Learning Path][MS Python]
 - [Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Python (MIT)][mitocw600]
@@ -30,14 +35,19 @@ Below you will find some additional jumping-off places to start your learning jo
 [CS50P]: https://pll.harvard.edu/course/cs50s-introduction-programming-python?delta=0
 [Learn X in Y minutes]: https://learnxinyminutes.com/docs/python3/
 [MS Python]: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/python-language/
+[PPEG]: https://inventwithpython.com/pythongently/
 [Python Documentation Tutorial]: https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/index.html
-[Python at Free Code Camp]: https://www.freecodecamp.org/learn/scientific-computing-with-python/
-[Think Python]: http://www.greenteapress.com/thinkpython/html/index.html
-[automate the boring stuff]: https://automatetheboringstuff.com/2e/
-[automate the videos]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F_OgqRuSdI&list=PL0-84-yl1fUnRuXGFe_F7qSH1LEnn9LkW
-[googles python class]: https://developers.google.com/edu/python/introduction
+[Python at Free Code Camp]: https://www.freecodecamp.org/learn/python-v9/
+[Think Python]: https://allendowney.github.io/ThinkPython/
+[automate the boring stuff workbook]: https://automatetheboringstuff.com/#toc
+[automate the boring stuff]: https://automatetheboringstuff.com/#toc
+[beyond the basics video]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSrnLbioN6w
+[beyond the basics]: https://inventwithpython.com/beyond/
+[cip self guided]: https://codeinplace.stanford.edu/public/studenthome
+[code in place]: https://codeinplace.stanford.edu/
+[googles python class]: https://developers.google.com/edu/python
 [mitocw600]: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-0001-introduction-to-computer-science-and-programming-in-python-fall-2016/
+[python at kahn academy]: https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/intro-to-python-fundamentals
 [python-course.eu]: https://python-course.eu/python-tutorial/
 [python-for-non-programmers]: https://store.lerner.co.il/python-for-non-programmers-live
-[python4everyone]: https://www.py4e.com/
 [wikipython]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Python_(programming_language)

docs/PROBLEM-SOLVING.md

@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@ Below are some community-sourced articles, videos, and books that can help you d
 
 
 - Free Code Camp offers a good overview article on [How to Think Like a Programmer - Lessons in Problem-Solving][free-code-camp-think-like-a-programmer].
-- Kurtis Pykes writing for Towards Data Science has a nice [hands-on tutorial for problem-solving][Kurtis Pykes: Hands-on Tutorial - How to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills as A Programmer].
-- UC Berkeley has a nice PDF summary of [G. Polya's Problem Solving Techniques][g-polya-how-to-solve-it-summary].
+- Jeremy Howard, founder of fast.ai has a nice summary of [G. Polya's Problem Solving Techniques][g-polya-how-to-solve-it-summary].
 - Originally written in 1945 as guidance for tackling complicated math problems,[G. Polya's How To Solve It][g-polya-how-to-solve-it] (full book) is still _excellent_ advice for problem-solving in general.
+- Kurtis Pykes writing for Towards Data Science has a nice [hands-on tutorial for problem-solving][Kurtis Pykes: Hands-on Tutorial - How to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills as A Programmer].
 - Mentioned in the Free Code Camp Article, V. Anton Spraul's [Think Like a Programmer: An Introduction to Creative Problem Solving][v-anton-spraul-think-like-a-programmer] is a more modern and programming-focused take on the same general methods Polya outlines for mathematics.
 - [Felienne Hermans][felienne-hermans] is more focused on _how_ people learn the art of coding and how that maps to learning in general.
   She has written [The Programmers Brian][programmers-brain-free-online], with strategies for reading code better, thinking about code clearly, writing better code, and becoming a better code collaborator.
@@ -32,8 +32,8 @@ Membership (paid) information is available at [acm(dot)org][association-for-comp
 [felienne-hermans-programming-is-writing-is-programming]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO3a4HIBDU4
 [felienne-hermans]: https://www.felienne.com/
 [free-code-camp-think-like-a-programmer]: https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/how-to-think-like-a-programmer-lessons-in-problem-solving-d1d8bf1de7d2/
-[g-polya-how-to-solve-it-summary]: https://math.berkeley.edu/~gmelvin/polya.pdf
-[g-polya-how-to-solve-it]: https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691164076/how-to-solve-it
+[g-polya-how-to-solve-it-summary]: https://gist.github.com/jph00/d60301884c56fe063101a7cc6193b3af
+[g-polya-how-to-solve-it]: https://archive.org/details/howtosolveit0000gpol_c0p2/page/n9/mode/2up
 [paul-vickers-how-to-think-like-a-programmer]: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236270907_How_to_Think_like_a_Programmer_Problem_Solving_for_the_Bewildered
 [programmers-brain-free-online]: https://www.manning.com/books/the-programmers-brain#toc
 [programmers-brain-manning]: https://www.manning.com/books/the-programmers-brain