Progress Update To Release 0.4

In the second week of Release 0.4, my focus shifted from planning to execution. Rather than trying to finish everything quickly, I spent this week scoping the work more carefully, understanding the codebase in depth, and validating that the issues I chose were the right size and complexity for a multi-week contribution. I am currently working on two issues in the hiero-sdk-python repository: #815 and #1015. Although they differ in scope, they are connected by a common goal—improving the developer experience of the SDK.
This week was primarily about research and orientation. For Issue #815, I reviewed the existing example token_airdrop.py and examined how token association is currently demonstrated. I focused on understanding the expected behavior of token association in the SDK and why the current output could be misleading to users. This issue is relatively small in terms of code changes, but it requires careful handling to ensure the example remains correct, clear, and runnable. For Issue #1015, I spent time reading through the transaction system in the SDK to understand how batching works and how keys are handled internally. This involved tracing how transaction properties are stored, validated, and eventually serialized. At this stage, my goal was not to immediately write code, but to understand the broader design and identify which parts of the system would be affected by the proposed change.
The main challenge this week has been scope management. While Issue #815 is well-contained and straightforward, Issue #1015 touches a more central part of the SDK. Even a small API change can have ripple effects, so I needed to slow down and make sure I fully understood how the transaction pipeline works before committing to an implementation. Another challenge has been balancing progress with caution. Since this is a core SDK feature, I want to avoid rushing changes that could introduce subtle bugs or break existing assumptions.
Based on what I learned this week, I’m adjusting my approach in the following way:
•I will complete Issue #815 first, using it as a focused improvement that delivers immediate value and builds momentum.
•I will continue developing Issue #1015 incrementally, validating assumptions and testing behavior as I go rather than attempting a large change all at once.
•I will prioritize steady weekly progress over rapid completion, aligning with the long-term nature of Release 0.4.
This week confirmed that my chosen scope is appropriate for the remaining weeks of the course. While I’m not finished yet, I now have a much clearer understanding of the problem space and a solid foundation to build on moving forward.