Synchronize supported Python versions with Python support schedule (missing Python 3.8 support)

[stefan6419846]

Since 56123cf, only Python 3.10 and Python 3.11 are supported officially, with Python 3.12 being mentioned in #687 already.

It would be nice to synchronize the supported Python versions with the Python support schedule. At the moment, this would mean that Python 3.8 through Python 3.12 are supported. This might make it easier to use the package in different setups, for example where Python 3.10 is not yet readily available to due other circumstances.

[hf-krechan]

Yes that's a good idea. I will create a PR which expands the python version matrix in the GitHub actions.
So all tests will run for each Python version.

[hf-krechan]

I created a PR #720 but it seems that we need to make some changes to get it running for Python 3.8 and 3.9.
Do you need these lower versions?

[stefan6419846]

You might need to add from __future__ import annotations to test_zusatz_attribut.py and serialization_helper.py - this should fix the tests for Python 3.9 (at least on my local setup).

typing.Annotated is new in Python 3.9 (https://docs.python.org/3.9/library/typing.html#typing.Annotated) and thus most likely requires the backports for Python 3.8.

For me, it would be sufficient to add support for Python 3.9 (this is what I currently use and would consider for further evaluation), although I tend to prefer packages which support the full range of officially supported Python versions as in my initial request.

[hf-krechan]

I will give it another try next week.
Thanks for the idea with the annotations import :)

[hf-kklein]

Hey @stefan6419846:

You might need to add from future import annotations to test_zusatz_attribut.py and serialization_helper.py - this should fix the tests for Python 3.9 (at least on my local setup).

Version v202401.1.0 does exactly that and supports Python 3.9. PyPi

Thanks for your contribution!

As you already noted, more effort is required to support Python 3.8. Feel free to open a PR for that, though. EOL is in 6 months, so hopefully no one starts building new applications using 3.8 :)

[stefan6419846]

As mentioned previously, Python 3.9 is currently sufficient for my use case, thus I am going to close this issue.

[hf-kklein]

Great, we're happy to hear how you're using bo4e :)