Update to Python 3.10

[jc-cisneros]

The goal of this issue is to update the Python version used in master. The steps are the following:

• [x] Build the conda environment with Python 3.10. Per https://github.com/gentzkow/CommitFlex/issues/114#issuecomment-1270855088, the Python version will be commented out in the setup/conda_env.yaml file, so that the norm is that the user updates to the latest version. Update the readme file to reflect current setup.
• [x] Run the repository with the updated conda environment. Report any package conflicts that arise (if any).

cc. @gentzkow @snairdesai

[jc-cisneros]

The repository ran successfully with Python 3.10. Some considerations to have in mind:

• I extended the logic of https://github.com/gentzkow/CommitFlex/issues/114#issuecomment-1270855088 to packages. To be precise, that means that the norm is that the user installs the latest versions of the packages. The latest working version is commented out.
• If versions are not specified, the process of solving the environment (conda checking for conflicts) takes longer. The instruction to run conda config --set channel_priority strict should be added to the template ReadMe to save a nontrivial amount of time (this is already part of our Proposed Changes).
• I suggest that as a last step in the process, after running the entire repo successfully, the user updates the commented out versions in the conda_env.yaml file. Running conda list returns the version of all packages being used. I am working to find a way to return only the smallest working subset of those (i.e., the other packages are their dependencies).
• The version for the linearmodels package has not been commented out. This is due to the fact that the latest version of this package does not work with the current code in template (see error below).

Per https://github.com/gentzkow/CommitFlex/issues/114#issuecomment-1270855660, we should not be using any packages that don't work with 3.10+. As the linearmodels is required in template, I will work on debugging the error.

@gentzkow @snairdesai I would appreciate your input on the following proposed steps:

• If you agree with the proposed last step in the process (i.e., updating the comments in the conda_env.file), I will add this instruction in the Proposed Changes working document.
• The Proposed Changes affect both template and the RA Manual (template references the RA Manual). What should be the approach to bringing those changes to these two repositories? @snairdesai and I currently don't have contributor status in gslab-econ/lab-manual.

[snairdesai]

Thanks @jc-cisneros! For some reason the link you pasted gives me an "invalid credentials" error. It doesn't seem like any updates have been made to our original shared document?

[snairdesai]

@jc-cisneros The edits above look good to me, I think we can add to the Proposed Changes document! I know we have open issues for integrating other revisions from this document to template and lab-manual, maybe we can regroup on resolving those PRs.

[gentzkow]

Thanks @jc-cisneros. Proposed changes sound great.

The lab-manual permissions were just a glitch. Everyone in the gslab RA group now has write access (including you!).

[jc-cisneros]

Update: The error with linearmodels was fixed in f98a2b4.

@snairdesai it is odd that you are getting that "invalid credentials" error. If you are logging in with your Stanford account, then I don't know what may be causing it. Fortunately, the link you shared takes me to the same document.

@gentzkow thanks! I think then the best way to proceed is to open new issues in both repositories and cross-reference the changes. @snairdesai and I can work on that after PR for #18 is closed.

For the moment, I will proceed with the PR on #66.

[jc-cisneros]

Summary:

On this issue, the Python version used by template was updated to 3.10. We also decided to add an extra step regarding listing the package version (see https://github.com/gentzkow/template/issues/65#issuecomment-1271955569).

Changes to master were brought by #66.