[Python 3.13.5] Upgrade Cleanup & Fixes (#4100)

BethanyG · web-flow · commit bf42c5d23b06 · 2026-02-24T16:30:37.000-08:00
* Small fixes in code examples and explainations from forum, messages, and review.

* Small fixes and corrections from forum, gh issues and code reviews.

* Bumped version to ubuntu-24.04 in CI for canonical_sync tests.
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/ci-workflow.yml
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ jobs:
         ./bin/template_status.py -v -p .problem-specifications
 
   canonical_sync:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     needs: housekeeping
     strategy:
       matrix:
diff --git a/concepts/basics/about.md b/concepts/basics/about.md
@@ -228,6 +228,16 @@ TypeError: raise_to_power() missing 1 required positional argument: 'power'
 >>> str.upper(start_text)  # Calling the upper() method from the built-in str class on start_text.
 'MY SILLY SENTENCE FOR EXAMPLES.'
 
+# Because a string is an instance of the str class, methods can also be called on them "directly".
+>>> start_text = "my silly sentence for examples."
+>>> start_text.upper()  # Calling the upper() method on start_text directly.
+'MY SILLY SENTENCE FOR EXAMPLES.'
+
+# Alternatively, we can skip the variable assignment (although this gets messy quick).
+>>> "my silly sentence for examples.".upper()
+'MY SILLY SENTENCE FOR EXAMPLES.'
+
+
 # Importing the math module
 import math
 
diff --git a/concepts/bools/about.md b/concepts/bools/about.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # About
 
-Python represents true and false values with the [`bool`][bools] type, which is a subtype of `int`.
+Python represents true and false values with the [`bool`][bools] type, which is a subclass of `int`.
  There are only two Boolean values in this type: `True` and `False`.
   These values can be assigned to a variable and combined with the [Boolean operators][boolean-operators] (`and`, `or`, `not`):
 
@@ -134,10 +134,8 @@ It is considered a [Python anti-pattern][comparing to true in the wrong way] to
 ```
 
 
-[bool-function]: https://docs.python.org/3/library/functions.html#bool
-[bool]: https://docs.python.org/3/library/stdtypes.html#truth
 [Boolean-operators]: https://docs.python.org/3/library/stdtypes.html#boolean-operations-and-or-not
+[bool-function]: https://docs.python.org/3/library/functions.html#bool
+[bools]: https://docs.python.org/3/library/stdtypes.html#typebool
 [comparing to true in the wrong way]: https://docs.quantifiedcode.com/python-anti-patterns/readability/comparison_to_true.html
 [comparisons]: https://docs.python.org/3/library/stdtypes.html#comparisons
-
-[bools]: https://docs.python.org/3/library/stdtypes.html#typebool
diff --git a/concepts/bools/introduction.md b/concepts/bools/introduction.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Introduction
 
-Python represents true and false values with the [`bool`][bools] type, which is a subtype of `int`.
+Python represents true and false values with the [`bool`][bools] type, which is a subclass of `int`.
  There are only two values under that type: `True` and `False`.
   These values can be bound to a variable:
 
@@ -22,4 +22,4 @@ We can evaluate Boolean expressions using the `and`, `or`, and `not` operators.
 >>> false_variable = not True
 ```
 
-[bools]: https://docs.python.org/3/library/stdtypes.html#typebool
+[bools]: https://docs.python.org/3/library/stdtypes.html#typebool
diff --git a/concepts/dicts/about.md b/concepts/dicts/about.md
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ animals = {
 ## Accessing Values in a `dict`
 
 You can access a `value` in a dictionary using a _key_ in square brackets.
-If a key does not exist, a `KeyError` is thrown:
+If a key does not exist in the dictionary, a `KeyError` is thrown:
 
 ```python
 >>> bear["speed"]
diff --git a/concepts/sets/about.md b/concepts/sets/about.md
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ The operator version of this method is  `<set> & <other set> & <other set 2> & .
 
 >>> herbs = ['Annatto','Asafetida','Basil','Chervil','Cilantro',
             'Curry Leaf','Fennel','Kaffir Lime','Lavender',
-            'Marjoram','Mint','Oregano','Summer Savory' 
+            'Marjoram','Mint','Oregano','Summer Savory', 
             'Tarragon','Wild Bergamot','Wild Celery',
             'Winter Savory']
 
@@ -420,8 +420,8 @@ The operator version of this method is  `<set> ^ <other set>`.
 >>> fruit_and_flowers ^ plants_1
 {'🌲',  '🌸', '🌴', '🌵','🌺', '🌻'}
 
->>> fruit_and_flowers ^ plants_2
-{ '🥑', '🌴','🌲', '🌵', '🍈', '🥭'}
+>>> fruit_and_flowers ^ set(plants_2)
+{'🥭', '🌴', '🌵', '🍈', '🌲', '🥑'}
 ```
 
 ~~~~exercism/note
diff --git a/concepts/strings/about.md b/concepts/strings/about.md
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ A `str` literal can be declared via single `'` or double `"` quotes. The escape
 
 >>> single_quoted = 'These allow "double quoting" without "escape" characters.'
 
->>> double_quoted = "These allow embedded 'single quoting', so you don't have to use an 'escape' character".
+>>> double_quoted = "These allow embedded 'single quoting', so you don't have to use an 'escape' character."
 ```
 
 
diff --git a/exercises/concept/black-jack/black_jack.py b/exercises/concept/black-jack/black_jack.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ def higher_card(card_one, card_two):
 
 
 def value_of_ace(card_one, card_two):
-    """Calculate the most advantageous value for the ace card.
+    """Calculate the most advantageous value for an upcoming ace card.
 
     :param card_one, card_two: str - card dealt. See below for values.
     :return: int - either 1 or 11 value of the upcoming ace card.
diff --git a/exercises/concept/cater-waiter/.docs/instructions.md b/exercises/concept/cater-waiter/.docs/instructions.md
@@ -41,10 +41,11 @@ Implement the `check_drinks(<drink_name>, <drink_ingredients>)` function that ta
 ## 3. Categorize Dishes
 
 The guest list includes diners with different dietary needs, and your staff will need to separate the dishes into Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo, Keto, and Omnivore.
+A dish belongs to a category only if all of its ingredients appear in the category's ingredient set.
 
 Implement the `categorize_dish(<dish_name>, <dish_ingredients>)` function that takes a dish name and a `set` of that dish's ingredients.
 The function should return a string with the `dish name: <CATEGORY>` (_which meal category the dish belongs to_).
-All dishes will "fit" into one of the categories imported from `sets_categories_data.py` (VEGAN, VEGETARIAN, PALEO, KETO, or OMNIVORE).
+All dishes given will "fit" into one of the categories imported from `sets_categories_data.py` (VEGAN, VEGETARIAN, PALEO, KETO, or OMNIVORE).
 
 ```python
 >>> from sets_categories_data import VEGAN, VEGETARIAN, PALEO, KETO, OMNIVORE
diff --git a/exercises/concept/cater-waiter/.docs/introduction.md b/exercises/concept/cater-waiter/.docs/introduction.md
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ The operator version of this method is `<set> & <other set> & <other set 2> & ..
 
 >>> herbs = ['Annatto','Asafetida','Basil','Chervil','Cilantro',
             'Curry Leaf','Fennel','Kaffir Lime','Lavender',
-            'Marjoram','Mint','Oregano','Summer Savory' 
+            'Marjoram','Mint','Oregano','Summer Savory', 
             'Tarragon','Wild Bergamot','Wild Celery',
             'Winter Savory']
 
@@ -360,8 +360,8 @@ The operator version of this method is  `<set> ^ <other set>`:
 >>> fruit_and_flowers ^ plants_1
 {'🌲',  '🌸', '🌴', '🌵','🌺', '🌻'}
 
->>> fruit_and_flowers ^ plants_2
-{ '🥑', '🌴','🌲', '🌵', '🍈', '🥭'}
+>>> fruit_and_flowers ^ set(plants_2)
+{'🥭', '🌴', '🌵', '🍈', '🌲', '🥑'}
 ```
 
 ~~~~exercism/note
diff --git a/exercises/concept/ellens-alien-game/classes_test.py b/exercises/concept/ellens-alien-game/classes_test.py
@@ -198,15 +198,19 @@ def test_new_aliens_collection(self):
 
         test_data = [(-2, 6), (1, 5), (-4, -3)]
         actual_result = new_aliens_collection(test_data)
+        length_message = (f'We called your function with a list of coordinates that was'
+                       f' {len(test_data)} items long, but the list of Alien '
+                       f'objects returned was {len(actual_result)} items long.')
 
-        error_message = "new_aliens_collection() must return a list of Alien objects."
+        self.assertEqual(len(test_data), len(actual_result), msg=length_message)
 
         for obj in actual_result:
-            self.assertIsInstance(obj, Alien, msg=error_message)
+            object_message = "new_aliens_collection() must return a list of Alien objects."
+            self.assertIsInstance(obj, Alien, msg=object_message)
 
         for position, obj in zip(test_data, actual_result):
-            position_error = (f'After calling new_aliens_collection({test_data}), '
-                              f'found {obj} initialized to position {(obj.x_coordinate, obj.y_coordinate)}, '
-                              f'but the tests expected {obj} to be at position {position} instead.')
+            position_message = (f'After calling new_aliens_collection({test_data}), '
+                                f'found {obj} initialized to position {(obj.x_coordinate, obj.y_coordinate)}, '
+                                f'but the tests expected {obj} to be at position {position} instead.')
 
-            self.assertEqual(position, (obj.x_coordinate, obj.y_coordinate), msg=position_error)
+            self.assertEqual(position, (obj.x_coordinate, obj.y_coordinate), msg=position_message)
diff --git a/exercises/concept/ghost-gobble-arcade-game/.docs/introduction.md b/exercises/concept/ghost-gobble-arcade-game/.docs/introduction.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Introduction
 
-Python represents true and false values with the [`bool`][bools] type, which is a subtype of `int`.
+Python represents true and false values with the [`bool`][bools] type, which is a subclass of `int`.
  There are only two values in this type: `True` and `False`.
   These values can be bound to a variable:
 
diff --git a/exercises/concept/guidos-gorgeous-lasagna/.docs/introduction.md b/exercises/concept/guidos-gorgeous-lasagna/.docs/introduction.md
@@ -18,12 +18,13 @@ This first exercise introduces 4 major Python language features:
 
 ~~~~exercism/note
 
-In general, content, tests, and analyzer tooling for the Python track follow the style conventions outlined in [PEP 8](https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0008/) and [PEP 257](https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0257/) for Python code style, with the additional (strong) suggestion that there be no single letter variable names.
+In general, content, tests, and analyzer tooling for the Python track follow the style conventions outlined in [PEP 8](https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0008/) and [PEP 257](https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0257/) for Python code style, with the additional (strong) suggestion that there be no single letter variable names or variables named ["_"][uses of _ in Python].
 
 On the Python track, [variables][variables] are always written in [`snake_case`][snake case], and constants in `SCREAMING_SNAKE_CASE`.
 
 [variables]: https://realpython.com/python-variables/
 [snake case]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_case
+[uses of _ in Python]: https://medium.com/better-programming/how-to-use-underscore-properly-in-python-37df5e05ba4c
 ~~~~
 
 <br>
@@ -184,6 +185,7 @@ TypeError: raise_to_power() missing 1 required positional argument: 'power'
 >>> str.upper(start_text)  # Calling the upper() method from the built-in str class on start_text.
 'MY SILLY SENTENCE FOR EXAMPLES.'
 
+
 # Importing the math module
 import math
 
diff --git a/exercises/concept/inventory-management/.docs/introduction.md b/exercises/concept/inventory-management/.docs/introduction.md
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ A `dict` can also be directly entered as a _dictionary literal_, using curly bra
 ## Accessing Values in a Dictionary
 
 You can access an entry in a dictionary using a _key_ in square (`[]`) brackets.
-If a `key` does not exist n the `dict`, a `KeyError` is thrown:
+If a `key` does not exist in the `dict`, a `KeyError` is thrown:
 
 ```python
 >>> bear["speed"]
diff --git a/exercises/concept/little-sisters-vocab/.docs/introduction.md b/exercises/concept/little-sisters-vocab/.docs/introduction.md
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ A `str` literal can be declared via single `'` or double `"` quotes. The escape
 
 >>> single_quoted = 'These allow "double quoting" without "escape" characters.'
 
->>> double_quoted = "These allow embedded 'single quoting', so you don't have to use an 'escape' character".
+>>> double_quoted = "These allow embedded 'single quoting', so you don't have to use an 'escape' character."
 
 >>> escapes = 'If needed, a \'slash\' can be used as an escape character within a string when switching quote styles won\'t work.'
 ```
