[Python-Dev] Actor Model in Python

[Eric Snow]

On Sun, Mar 31, 2019 at 9:19 AM Aratz Manterola Lasa via Python-Dev
<python-dev at python.org> wrote:
> I was wondering if there was any Python project aiming to implement the actor model for python concurrency.

As far as the standard library goes, the explicitly supported
concurrency models are: threading, multiprocessing, and async/await.
Between these (and a few other parts provided by Python) anyone can
build libraries that emulate various other concurrency models.  Such
libraries exist on the cheeseshop (PyPI), though I don't know about
packages for the actor model specifically.  I recommend searching
there for such packages.  If you don't find one then perhaps you've
found a new project to start. :)

Also, I have a proposal [1] for Python 3.9 that provides first class
[low level] support for concurrency models like CSP and the actor
model.  This is done with multiple [mostly] isolated interpreters per
process and with basic "channels" for safely passing messages between
them.  While the proposed library is intended to be useful on its own,
it is also intended to provide effective building blocks for library
authors.  Note that the PEP has not been accepted and is not
guaranteed to be accepted (though I'm hopeful).

Regardless, consider posting to python-list at python.org for feedback
from the broader Python community.  This list is specifically used for
the development of the Python language itself.  Thanks!

-eric


[1] https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0554/