Request to Assess and Update Python Version Support

[Paillat-dev]

Current Situation

1. The README states the project supports only Python 3.7 and 3.8.

2. Python 3.7 reached EOL on June 27, 2023, and 3.8 is scheduled for EOL on October 14, 2024.

3. The requirements.txt file lacks version specificity for most dependencies:

   click
   datasets
   num2words
   numpy
   openai
   pyyaml
   torch
   tokenizers
   torchaudio
   transformers===4.6.0
   

Concerns

1. The stated Python version support is outdated, potentially limiting the project's usability.
2. Lack of specific versions in requirements.txt makes it difficult to reproduce environments and assess true compatibility.

Requests

1. Could the maintainers assess and clarify which Python versions are actually supported?
2. Is it possible to update the project to support more recent Python versions (3.9+)?
3. Could the requirements.txt file be updated with specific versions for all dependencies?

Suggestions

1. Consider dropping support for Python 3.7 and 3.8 due to their EOL status.
2. Implement a more robust dependency management system (e.g., Poetry or pip-tools).
3. Update the README and documentation to accurately reflect supported Python versions.

Benefits of Updating

1. Improved security by using supported Python versions
2. Better compatibility with modern Python ecosystems
3. Easier environment reproduction for users and contributors
4. Future-proofing the project

I believe these updates would greatly benefit the project and its users. I'm happy to provide any additional information or clarification if needed.