[Feature Request]: Update required python version to >= `3.10`

[MaxDall]

Problem statement

Since our current minimum required Python version (3.8) [1] reached its end of life quite some time ago, and with 3.9 recently following while 3.10 is approaching end of life October next year, it’s a good moment to revisit our minimum version requirement.

According to a JetBrains report [2], Python 3.12 has become the new sheriff in town, with 3.11 and 3.10 still holding usage shares of at least 15%.

To strike a balance between usability and long-term support, I suggest raising our minimum supported version to either Python 3.10 or 3.11.

Solution

Agree on a new python version and update our entire code-base to align with features available in our target minimum Python version.

As an example for 3.10 this includes, but is not limited to:

• Adapt newly introduced type hint styles

  • Utilize Annotated for richer type hints (3.9)
  • Use TypeAlias for clearer type definitions (3.10)
  • Apply union types with X | Y syntax (3.10)
  • Implement Parameter Specification Variables (ParamSpec) for higher-order functions (3.10)
  • Define User-Defined Type Guards (3.10)

• Update project configuration files, such as pyproject.toml, CI actions, etc.

  • Update python_requires in pyproject.toml to >=3.10
  • Ensure CI workflows test against Python 3.10 and above
  • Remove any backward-compatibility workarounds no longer needed
  • Update dependencies that now require >=3.10

• Utilize new language features

  • Refactor if-elif-else chains to match-case statements (3.10)
  • Explore structural pattern matching with sequences, mappings, and class patterns (3.10)
  • Use str.removeprefix() / str.removesuffix() (3.9)
  • Consider improvements to built-in collections, e.g., zoneinfo module (3.9)
  • Explore parenthesized context managers for cleaner multi-line with statements (3.10)

Additional Context

No response