Python Modernization

What was wrong?

A lot of code cruft exists to support versions of Python before 3.5. It complicates the implementation, and requires more time to test.

How can it be fixed?

In v4, as part of dropping support for Python 2 and Python <=3.4, we can remove this cruft. Also, let’s drop test environments for python 2.7 and 3.4, and add one for 3.6.

• Remove Python 2.7 and 3.4 tests #349
• Add Python 3.6 test environment
• Remove all sys.version_info checks, presuming Python 3.5+
• Remove all bytes == str checks, presuming Python 3.5+
• Remove the web3.utils.compat module, and replace all usages with native calls #251
• Bonus: Convert logic, where appropriate, to use native methods in 3.5+ (like b'\xbe\xef'.hex(), etc.)

[owocki]

btw, the OG bounty was for 0.95, but i tip’d you all a % of 1 ETH because you’ve been good sports. also i’m lazy and didnt want to do the * 0.95 math 😂

[owocki]

have not heard anything from anyone. payout imminent (est in ahour or two)