Written by Roman Peťura, Wednesday 2 April 2025

We’re excited to announce a major update to our Python Router Apps! While the core upgrade to Python 3.12 brings cutting-edge improvements, the most significant change lies in the restructured architecture of the apps themselves. This redesign ensures better compatibility with diverse router hardware while delivering tailored solutions for different use cases.

Why the Restructure?

To address hardware limitations on certain routers, we’ve reimagined our Python Router Apps into two distinct versions:

1. Python 3 Lite (formerly "Python 3")

• Lightweight, minimal footprint: Ideal for routers with constrained resources.
• Limited feature set: Excludes pip, removes UNICODE character functions, and uses a pure-Python hashlib for compatibility.
• Best for: Basic scripting and automation tasks where minimal resource usage is critical.

2. Python 3 (formerly "Python 3 with pip")

• Full-featured powerhouse: Retains all the capabilities power users need.
• Includes: pip for package management, native hashlib for faster cryptography, full UNICODE support, and venv for virtual environments.
• Best for: Advanced scripting, dependency-driven projects, and applications requiring robust performance.

What’s Changed for Existing Users?

• If you previously used Python 3 (without pip), you’ll now use Python 3 Lite—optimized for lightweight operation.
• The Python 3 with pip app has been renamed to Python 3, offering the full standard installation.

Python 3.12: What’s New Under the Hood

While the app restructuring is the star of this update, the upgrade to Python 3.12 brings its own set of enhancements:

• F-strings & Type Syntax: Improved readability and static typing support.

• Interpreter Optimizations: A unique per-interpreter GIL and low-impact monitoring boost multitasking efficiency.

• Library Upgrades: Enhanced os, pathlib, and sqlite3 modules for smoother integration.

• Security: Stronger hashing algorithms (SHA1, SHA3, MD5) via the HACL* project.

These updates future-proof your router’s capabilities while aligning with modern Python development practices. For a complete list of improvements and features, visit the official Python 3.12 documentation.

Availability

Both restructured apps are now available:

• Python 3 Lite: For basic scripting on resource-limited routers.
• Python 3: For advanced users needing pip, UNICODE, and native performance.

Download them directly from your router via Advantech’s public server or manually from the Router App page.