#457 Tapping into HTTP

Topics covered in this episode:

• httptap
• 10 Smart Performance Hacks For Faster Python Code
• FastRTC
• Explore Python dependencies with pipdeptree and uv pip tree
• Extras
• Joke

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Michael #1: httptap

• Rich-powered CLI that breaks each HTTP request into DNS, connect, TLS, wait, and transfer phases with waterfall timelines, compact summaries, or metrics-only output.
• Features
  • Phase-by-phase timing – precise measurements built from httpcore trace hooks (with sane fallbacks when metal-level data is unavailable).
  • All HTTP methods – GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS with request body support.
  • Request body support – send JSON, XML, or any data inline or from file with automatic Content-Type detection.
  • IPv4/IPv6 aware – the resolver and TLS inspector report both the address and its family.
  • TLS insights – certificate CN, expiry countdown, cipher suite, and protocol version are captured automatically.
  • Multiple output modes – rich waterfall view, compact single-line summaries, or -metrics-only for scripting.
  • JSON export – persist full step data (including redirect chains) for later processing.
  • Extensible – clean Protocol interfaces for DNS, TLS, timing, visualization, and export so you can plug in custom behavior.
• Example:

Brian #2: 10 Smart Performance Hacks For Faster Python Code

• Dido Grigorov
• A few from the list
  • Use math functions instead of operators
  • Avoid exception handling in hot loops
  • Use itertools for combinatorial operations - huge speedup
  • Use bisect for sorted list operations - huge speedup

Michael #3: FastRTC

• The Real-Time Communication Library for Python: Turn any python function into a real-time audio and video stream over WebRTC or WebSockets.
• Features
  • 🗣️ Automatic Voice Detection and Turn Taking built-in, only worry about the logic for responding to the user.
  • 💻 Automatic UI - Use the .ui.launch() method to la