docs: README.md Do not hardcode the supported versions of Python (#2880)

Author: cclauss

.github/workflows/tests.yml

@@ -13,8 +13,9 @@ jobs:
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v3
     - run: pip install --user ruff
-    - run: ruff --format=github --select="E,F,PLC,PLE,UP,W,YTT" --ignore="PLC1901,S101,UP031" --target-version=py37 .
+    - run: ruff --format=github --select="E,F,PLC,PLE,UP,W,YTT" --ignore="E721,PLC1901,S101,UP031" --target-version=py38 .
   Tests:
+    needs: Lint_Python  # Lint_Python takes ~5 seconds, so wait for it to pass before running the full matrix of tests.
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       max-parallel: 15

README.md

@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@
 `node-gyp` is a cross-platform command-line tool written in Node.js for
 compiling native addon modules for Node.js. It contains a vendored copy of the
 [gyp-next](https://github.com/nodejs/gyp-next) project that was previously used
-by the Chromium team, extended to support the development of Node.js native addons.
+by the Chromium team and extended to support the development of Node.js native
+addons.
 
 Note that `node-gyp` is _not_ used to build Node.js itself.
 
@@ -31,23 +32,22 @@ Depending on your operating system, you will need to install:
 
 ### On Unix
 
-   * Python v3.7, v3.8, v3.9, or v3.10
+   * [A supported version of Python](https://devguide.python.org/versions/)
    * `make`
    * A proper C/C++ compiler toolchain, like [GCC](https://gcc.gnu.org)
 
 ### On macOS
 
-**ATTENTION**: If your Mac has been _upgraded_ to macOS Catalina (10.15) or higher, please read [macOS_Catalina.md](macOS_Catalina.md).
-
-   * Python v3.7, v3.8, v3.9, or v3.10
+   * [A supported version of Python](https://devguide.python.org/versions/)
    * `XCode Command Line Tools` which will install `clang`, `clang++`, and `make`.
      * Install the `XCode Command Line Tools` standalone by running `xcode-select --install`. -- OR --
      * Alternatively, if you already have the [full Xcode installed](https://developer.apple.com/xcode/download/), you can install the Command Line Tools under the menu `Xcode -> Open Developer Tool -> More Developer Tools...`.
 
 
 ### On Windows
 
-Install the current version of Python from the [Microsoft Store package](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/python-310/9pjpw5ldxlz5).
+Install the current [version of Python](https://devguide.python.org/versions/) from the
+[Microsoft Store](https://apps.microsoft.com/store/search?publisher=Python+Software+Foundation).
 
 Install tools and configuration manually:
    * Install Visual C++ Build Environment: [Visual Studio Build Tools](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/thank-you-downloading-visual-studio/?sku=BuildTools)
@@ -62,9 +62,9 @@ Install tools and configuration manually:
 
 ### Configuring Python Dependency
 
-`node-gyp` requires that you have installed a compatible version of Python, one of: v3.7, v3.8,
-v3.9, or v3.10. If you have multiple Python versions installed, you can identify which Python
-version `node-gyp` should use in one of the following ways:
+`node-gyp` requires that you have installed a [supported version of Python](https://devguide.python.org/versions/).
+If you have multiple versions of Python installed, you can identify which version
+`node-gyp` should use in one of the following ways:
 
 1. by setting the `--python` command-line option, e.g.:
 
@@ -73,24 +73,28 @@ node-gyp <command> --python /path/to/executable/python
 ```
 
 2. If `node-gyp` is called by way of `npm`, *and* you have multiple versions of
-Python installed, then you can set `npm`'s 'python' config key to the appropriate
-value:
-
+Python installed, then you can set the `npm_config_python` environment variable
+to the appropriate path:
 ``` bash
-npm config set python /path/to/executable/python
+export npm_config_python=/path/to/executable/python
+```
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Or on Windows:
+```console
+py --list-paths  # To see the installed Python versions
+set npm_config_python=C:\path\to\python.exe
 ```
 
 3. If the `PYTHON` environment variable is set to the path of a Python executable,
-then that version will be used, if it is a compatible version.
+then that version will be used if it is a supported version.
 
 4. If the `NODE_GYP_FORCE_PYTHON` environment variable is set to the path of a
 Python executable, it will be used instead of any of the other configured or
-builtin Python search paths. If it's not a compatible version, no further
+built-in Python search paths. If it's not a compatible version, no further
 searching will be done.
 
 ### Build for Third Party Node.js Runtimes
 
-When building modules for third party Node.js runtimes like Electron, which have
+When building modules for third-party Node.js runtimes like Electron, which have
 different build configurations from the official Node.js distribution, you
 should use `--dist-url` or `--nodedir` flags to specify the headers of the
 runtime to build for.
@@ -106,7 +110,7 @@ to work around configuration errors.
 
 ## How to Use
 
-To compile your native addon, first go to its root directory:
+To compile your native addon first go to its root directory:
 
 ``` bash
 cd my_node_addon
@@ -240,7 +244,7 @@ Or this on Windows:
 set npm_config_devdir=c:\temp\.gyp
 ```
 
-### `npm` configuration
+### `npm` configuration for npm versions before v9
 
 Use the form `OPTION_NAME` for any of the command options listed above.