automated style checking

[mhowlett]

we should look at adding automated style checking using autopep8 or similar.

[joaoe]

adding automated style checking using autopep8 or similar.

Style checkers are a nightmare to work with, mostly nagging about whitespace. Always prefer a formatter, like Black if possible, which fixes all whitespace for us.

[MSeal]

Agreed on black being a preferred option. I've added it to several libraries in the past without much annoyance to repo maintenance while getting linting aid.