What are the best practices for using type hints in Python?

What are the best practices for using type hints in Python?

Using type hints improves code readability and helps with static type checking. Best practices include using the Optional type for nullable values, leveraging List, Dict, and other collection types from the typing module, and being consistent with type annotations throughout your code.

Can you give an example of using type hints in a function?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

from typing import List

def greet_users(names: List[str]) -> None:
    for name in names:
        print(f'Hello, {name}!')

This function takes a list of strings as input and returns nothing.

What should I avoid when using type hints?

Avoid overcomplicating type hints with unnecessary complexity. Stick to simple types when possible, and don't use type hints for every single variable if it makes the code harder to read.

Are there any tools to help with type checking?

Yes! Tools like mypy and pyright can help you perform static type checking in your Python code, ensuring that your type hints are used correctly.