Python 2 Extended Support
Python 2 End of Life – Now What?
If you ever deployed a Python 2 application in your organization, you’re likely aware of the fact that the Python Software Foundation stopped providing support for Python 2 on Jan. 1, 2020. Additionally, many third-party package maintainers no longer support, maintain or update any of their Python 2.x releases.
If you have yet to decide what to do with those Python 2 applications that are still generating value for your organization, you’re not alone.
As these applications age, more and more vulnerabilities will crop up, raising security concerns. With no recourse to security updates, enterprises are now faced with making a significant decision based on 3 key options:
- Rewrite: For applications that deliver value today, and will deliver even more value in the future, it may be worth rewriting your
- Migrate: Convert your Python 2 codebase to Python 3, refactoring where necessary.
- Mitigate: Stick with your Python 2 code, but patch/refactor it as critical vulnerabilities are discovered.
Each of your applications should be evaluated individually to determine the best tactic for them. But no matter which option you choose, ActiveState can help. As a founding member of the Python Software Foundation, ActiveState has a proven track record of providing commercial support for Python 2 and Python 3 deployments in enterprises both large and small for the past 20 years.
Download the ActiveState – Python 2 Extended Support Data Sheet
Python 2 Extended Support Includes:
Related Resources
Blog: The Python 2 Threat In Your Supply Chain Is Real
Solution Sheet: Python Modernization: 2 To 3
Blog: Python 2 To 3 Migration – Now Or Never?
Have questions about commercial support for your existing Python 2 applications or migrating from Python 2 to 3? Contact our Sales team or get a free assessment of your Python 2 code.
- Python 2 core language – Support for the features and functionality of the core Python 2 language and standard libraries.
- The third-party Python 2 packages you use – Support for the third-party Python 2 packages, libraries and modules included in your applications.
- Backported core language security fixes – Fixes implemented in Python 3 core language code will be backported to Python 2 and made available as a patch.
- Backported third-party package security fixes from Python 3 to Python 2 – Fixes implemented in Python 3 third-party packages will be backported to Python 2 and made available as a patch.
- Other Security Issues – Issues identified exclusively in Python 2.7 will be fixed by ActiveState in conjunction with community contributors.
- Community-created updates to third-party Python 2 packages – Updates to third-party packages released by the community will be included in quarterly updates.
- Quarterly, scheduled updates – Patches and updates will be made available on at least a quarterly basis. Critical vulnerability patches may be provided on a more timely basis.
- Source code available upon request – Patches and updates will be delivered as binaries unless otherwise requested.
Commercial Support
ActiveState’s commercially supported Python distribution, ActivePython is used by millions of developers worldwide. ActivePython is 100% compatible with open source Python, and includes hundreds of popular, pre-vetted and pre-verified third-party packages suitable for use in commercial products.
As of January 2020, the Python core team has stopped doing Python 2 development work. However, ActiveState will continue to support ActivePython for security updates in the core language, as well as the third-party packages you rely on. An ActiveState extended support subscription entitles you to:
- Support – communicate with our Python experts via phone, email and chat.
- Patches – vulnerabilities will be addressed with backported patches from Python 3 libraries, community contributors, and our own Python experts.
- Updated Packages – new versions of Python 2 third-party packages
Migration/Rewrite Support
As part of our extended support offering, ActiveState can provide you with a Python 2 safety net while you undertake the migration or rewriting of your application. Our experts can help provide guidance around:
- Which third-party Python 2 packages and libraries have suitable migration targets, and which are no longer supported, and/or have modified their licensing terms.
- Migration tooling advice, depending on your approach.
- Which Python 3 packages are well-maintained and suitably licensed for commercial use.
Watch demo: How to upgrade a Python 2 environment and create a ‘migration to Python 3’ target
ActiveState – A trusted Name in Open Source
No matter how you choose to address the sunsetting of Python 2, it’s always a good idea to have an expert to consult with to smooth the way. For more than 20 years, ActiveState has been providing commercially-backed, secure, stable and comprehensive open source software (OSS) language distributions that have become renowned for quality, and are now the de-facto standards for millions of developers around the world.
100% compatible with community open source code, ActiveState’s open source language distributions can be freely downloaded, but crucially also offer guaranteed support SLAs and regular maintenance updates, as well.
