code refactor

related to #8 (closed):

• I kept changes per commit small, so the number of commits got kind of numerous...

.gitignore

@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ ipython_config.py
 # pyenv
 #   For a library or package, you might want to ignore these files since the code is
 #   intended to run in multiple environments; otherwise, check them in:
-# .python-version
+.python-version
 
 # pipenv
 #   According to pypa/pipenv#598, it is recommended to include Pipfile.lock in version control.
@@ -158,3 +158,6 @@ cython_debug/
 #  and can be added to the global gitignore or merged into this file.  For a more nuclear
 #  option (not recommended) you can uncomment the following to ignore the entire idea folder.
 #.idea/
+
+# linters
+.pylint.d