Drop support for Python 3.7 (#8609)

* Drop support for Python 3.7
* Update py-version + classifier
* Update functional tests

50 files changed, 72 insertions, 240 deletions

diff --git a/.github/workflows/primer_run_main.yaml b/.github/workflows/primer_run_main.yaml
index 1570f2ad5..dfb857424 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/primer_run_main.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/primer_run_main.yaml
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ jobs:
     timeout-minutes: 120
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python-version: ["3.7", "3.11"]
+        python-version: ["3.8", "3.11"]
     steps:
       - name: Check out code from GitHub
         uses: actions/checkout@v3.5.2
diff --git a/.github/workflows/primer_run_pr.yaml b/.github/workflows/primer_run_pr.yaml
index 71bc8ec7b..d9583579e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/primer_run_pr.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/primer_run_pr.yaml
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ jobs:
     timeout-minutes: 120
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python-version: ["3.7", "3.11"]
+        python-version: ["3.8", "3.11"]
     steps:
       - name: Check out code from GitHub
         uses: actions/checkout@v3.5.2
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yaml b/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
index 3461fdab7..09beec919 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        python-version: [3.7, 3.8, 3.9, "3.10", "3.11"]
+        python-version: [3.8, 3.9, "3.10", "3.11"]
     outputs:
       python-key: ${{ steps.generate-python-key.outputs.key }}
     steps:
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        python-version: [3.7, 3.8, 3.9, "3.10", "3.11"]
+        python-version: [3.8, 3.9, "3.10", "3.11"]
     steps:
       - name: Set temp directory
         run: echo "TEMP=$env:USERPROFILE\AppData\Local\Temp" >> $env:GITHUB_ENV
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         # We only run on the oldest supported version on Mac
-        python-version: [3.7]
+        python-version: [3.8]
     steps:
       - name: Check out code from GitHub
         uses: actions/checkout@v3.5.2
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        python-version: ["pypy-3.7", "pypy-3.8", "pypy-3.9"]
+        python-version: ["pypy-3.8", "pypy-3.9"]
     steps:
       - name: Check out code from GitHub
         uses: actions/checkout@v3.5.2
diff --git a/.pre-commit-config.yaml b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
index 556bccc60..c39b8c434 100644
--- a/.pre-commit-config.yaml
+++ b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ repos:
     rev: v3.3.1
     hooks:
       - id: pyupgrade
-        args: [--py37-plus]
+        args: [--py38-plus]
         exclude: *fixtures
   - repo: https://github.com/PyCQA/isort
     rev: 5.12.0
diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index d4e3c83ee..740f7f308 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ What is Pylint?
 ---------------
 
 Pylint is a `static code analyser`_ for Python 2 or 3. The latest version supports Python
-3.7.2 and above.
+3.8.0 and above.
 
 .. _`static code analyser`: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_code_analysis
 
diff --git a/doc/exts/pylint_extensions.py b/doc/exts/pylint_extensions.py
index 936bdbb6b..cadcbdcba 100755
--- a/doc/exts/pylint_extensions.py
+++ b/doc/exts/pylint_extensions.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import os
 import re
 import sys
-from typing import Any
+from typing import Any, TypedDict
 
 import sphinx
 from sphinx.application import Sphinx
@@ -22,11 +22,6 @@ from pylint.lint import PyLinter
 from pylint.typing import MessageDefinitionTuple, OptionDict, ReportsCallable
 from pylint.utils import get_rst_title
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import TypedDict
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import TypedDict
-
 
 class _CheckerInfo(TypedDict):
     """Represents data about a checker."""
diff --git a/doc/whatsnew/fragments/6306.breaking b/doc/whatsnew/fragments/6306.breaking
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8338251b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/whatsnew/fragments/6306.breaking
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+Remove support for Python 3.7.
+
+Refs #6306
diff --git a/pylint/checkers/__init__.py b/pylint/checkers/__init__.py
index 8af4bae67..0f9985918 100644
--- a/pylint/checkers/__init__.py
+++ b/pylint/checkers/__init__.py
@@ -42,8 +42,7 @@ messages nor reports. XXX not true, emit a 07 report !
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import sys
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
 
 from pylint.checkers.base_checker import (
     BaseChecker,
@@ -53,11 +52,6 @@ from pylint.checkers.base_checker import (
 from pylint.checkers.deprecated import DeprecatedMixin
 from pylint.utils import LinterStats, diff_string, register_plugins
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
-
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.lint import PyLinter
 
diff --git a/pylint/checkers/base/basic_checker.py b/pylint/checkers/base/basic_checker.py
index dd46d8553..627f3c603 100644
--- a/pylint/checkers/base/basic_checker.py
+++ b/pylint/checkers/base/basic_checker.py
@@ -8,9 +8,8 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import collections
 import itertools
-import sys
 from collections.abc import Iterator
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, cast
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal, cast
 
 import astroid
 from astroid import nodes, objects, util
@@ -24,11 +23,6 @@ from pylint.utils import LinterStats
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.lint.pylinter import PyLinter
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
-
 
 class _BasicChecker(BaseChecker):
     """Permits separating multiple checks with the same checker name into
diff --git a/pylint/checkers/base/docstring_checker.py b/pylint/checkers/base/docstring_checker.py
index 5a681eeb3..91b3e7d4a 100644
--- a/pylint/checkers/base/docstring_checker.py
+++ b/pylint/checkers/base/docstring_checker.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import re
-import sys
+from typing import Literal
 
 import astroid
 from astroid import nodes
@@ -21,11 +21,6 @@ from pylint.checkers.utils import (
     is_property_setter,
 )
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
-
 # do not require a doc string on private/system methods
 NO_REQUIRED_DOC_RGX = re.compile("^_")
 
diff --git a/pylint/checkers/classes/class_checker.py b/pylint/checkers/classes/class_checker.py
index 9b0bd50b1..77a795bcb 100644
--- a/pylint/checkers/classes/class_checker.py
+++ b/pylint/checkers/classes/class_checker.py
@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import collections
-import sys
 from collections import defaultdict
 from collections.abc import Callable, Sequence
+from functools import cached_property
 from itertools import chain, zip_longest
 from re import Pattern
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Union
@@ -47,11 +47,6 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.lint.pylinter import PyLinter
 
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from functools import cached_property
-else:
-    from astroid.decorators import cachedproperty as cached_property
-
 _AccessNodes = Union[nodes.Attribute, nodes.AssignAttr]
 
 INVALID_BASE_CLASSES = {"bool", "range", "slice", "memoryview"}
diff --git a/pylint/checkers/format.py b/pylint/checkers/format.py
index 62466a4fd..3e3cd3227 100644
--- a/pylint/checkers/format.py
+++ b/pylint/checkers/format.py
@@ -13,11 +13,10 @@ Some parts of the process_token method is based from The Tab Nanny std module.
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import sys
 import tokenize
 from functools import reduce
 from re import Match
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
 
 from astroid import nodes
 
@@ -31,10 +30,6 @@ from pylint.utils.pragma_parser import OPTION_PO, PragmaParserError, parse_pragm
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.lint import PyLinter
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
 
 _KEYWORD_TOKENS = {
     "assert",
diff --git a/pylint/checkers/imports.py b/pylint/checkers/imports.py
index 6cc5d2164..42649f3d9 100644
--- a/pylint/checkers/imports.py
+++ b/pylint/checkers/imports.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import os
 import sys
 from collections import defaultdict
 from collections.abc import ItemsView, Sequence
+from functools import cached_property
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Dict, List, Union
 
 import astroid
@@ -38,11 +39,6 @@ from pylint.utils.linterstats import LinterStats
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.lint import PyLinter
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from functools import cached_property
-else:
-    from astroid.decorators import cachedproperty as cached_property
-
 
 # The dictionary with Any should actually be a _ImportTree again
 # but mypy doesn't support recursive types yet
diff --git a/pylint/checkers/logging.py b/pylint/checkers/logging.py
index e5fb1ae09..461047bdf 100644
--- a/pylint/checkers/logging.py
+++ b/pylint/checkers/logging.py
@@ -7,8 +7,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import string
-import sys
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
 
 import astroid
 from astroid import bases, nodes
@@ -19,11 +18,6 @@ from pylint.checkers import utils
 from pylint.checkers.utils import infer_all
 from pylint.typing import MessageDefinitionTuple
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
-
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.lint import PyLinter
 
diff --git a/pylint/checkers/raw_metrics.py b/pylint/checkers/raw_metrics.py
index 301e9d2e2..ef4535345 100644
--- a/pylint/checkers/raw_metrics.py
+++ b/pylint/checkers/raw_metrics.py
@@ -4,19 +4,13 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import sys
 import tokenize
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, cast
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Literal, cast
 
 from pylint.checkers import BaseTokenChecker
 from pylint.reporters.ureports.nodes import Paragraph, Section, Table, Text
 from pylint.utils import LinterStats, diff_string
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
-
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.lint import PyLinter
 
diff --git a/pylint/checkers/refactoring/refactoring_checker.py b/pylint/checkers/refactoring/refactoring_checker.py
index 890b0e64d..5d0a2dd7a 100644
--- a/pylint/checkers/refactoring/refactoring_checker.py
+++ b/pylint/checkers/refactoring/refactoring_checker.py
@@ -7,10 +7,9 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import collections
 import copy
 import itertools
-import sys
 import tokenize
 from collections.abc import Iterator
-from functools import reduce
+from functools import cached_property, reduce
 from re import Pattern
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, NamedTuple, Union, cast
 
@@ -27,10 +26,6 @@ from pylint.interfaces import HIGH, INFERENCE, Confidence
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.lint import PyLinter
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from functools import cached_property
-else:
-    from astroid.decorators import cachedproperty as cached_property
 
 NodesWithNestedBlocks = Union[
     nodes.TryExcept, nodes.TryFinally, nodes.While, nodes.For, nodes.If
diff --git a/pylint/checkers/spelling.py b/pylint/checkers/spelling.py
index 8ba4df4d5..91161c60d 100644
--- a/pylint/checkers/spelling.py
+++ b/pylint/checkers/spelling.py
@@ -7,21 +7,15 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import re
-import sys
 import tokenize
 from re import Pattern
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Literal
 
 from astroid import nodes
 
 from pylint.checkers import BaseTokenChecker
 from pylint.checkers.utils import only_required_for_messages
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
-
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.lint import PyLinter
 
diff --git a/pylint/checkers/strings.py b/pylint/checkers/strings.py
index ce122e754..2cc780da5 100644
--- a/pylint/checkers/strings.py
+++ b/pylint/checkers/strings.py
@@ -8,11 +8,10 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import collections
 import re
-import sys
 import tokenize
 from collections import Counter
 from collections.abc import Iterable, Sequence
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
 
 import astroid
 from astroid import bases, nodes, util
@@ -26,11 +25,6 @@ from pylint.typing import MessageDefinitionTuple
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.lint import PyLinter
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
-
 
 _AST_NODE_STR_TYPES = ("__builtin__.unicode", "__builtin__.str", "builtins.str")
 # Prefixes for both strings and bytes literals per
diff --git a/pylint/checkers/typecheck.py b/pylint/checkers/typecheck.py
index 0298c81dc..fe29879c5 100644
--- a/pylint/checkers/typecheck.py
+++ b/pylint/checkers/typecheck.py
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@ import shlex
 import sys
 import types
 from collections.abc import Callable, Iterable, Iterator, Sequence
-from functools import singledispatch
+from functools import cached_property, singledispatch
 from re import Pattern
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, TypeVar, Union
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Literal, TypeVar, Union
 
 import astroid
 import astroid.exceptions
@@ -53,13 +53,6 @@ from pylint.constants import PY310_PLUS
 from pylint.interfaces import HIGH, INFERENCE
 from pylint.typing import MessageDefinitionTuple
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from functools import cached_property
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from astroid.decorators import cachedproperty as cached_property
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
-
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.lint import PyLinter
 
diff --git a/pylint/checkers/utils.py b/pylint/checkers/utils.py
index 95a0e7b7b..6b66ad620 100644
--- a/pylint/checkers/utils.py
+++ b/pylint/checkers/utils.py
@@ -1942,7 +1942,7 @@ def is_typing_member(node: nodes.NodeNG, names_to_check: tuple[str, ...]) -> boo
     return False
 
 
-@lru_cache()
+@lru_cache
 def in_for_else_branch(parent: nodes.NodeNG, stmt: nodes.Statement) -> bool:
     """Returns True if stmt is inside the else branch for a parent For stmt."""
     return isinstance(parent, nodes.For) and any(
diff --git a/pylint/checkers/variables.py b/pylint/checkers/variables.py
index e1b82bb41..08797c93c 100644
--- a/pylint/checkers/variables.py
+++ b/pylint/checkers/variables.py
@@ -11,10 +11,10 @@ import copy
 import itertools
 import os
 import re
-import sys
 from collections import defaultdict
 from collections.abc import Generator, Iterable, Iterator
 from enum import Enum
+from functools import cached_property
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, NamedTuple
 
 import astroid
@@ -34,11 +34,6 @@ from pylint.constants import PY39_PLUS, TYPING_NEVER, TYPING_NORETURN
 from pylint.interfaces import CONTROL_FLOW, HIGH, INFERENCE, INFERENCE_FAILURE
 from pylint.typing import MessageDefinitionTuple
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from functools import cached_property
-else:
-    from astroid.decorators import cachedproperty as cached_property
-
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.lint import PyLinter
 
diff --git a/pylint/config/_pylint_config/utils.py b/pylint/config/_pylint_config/utils.py
index 70b2a8092..f9185e8b1 100644
--- a/pylint/config/_pylint_config/utils.py
+++ b/pylint/config/_pylint_config/utils.py
@@ -9,12 +9,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import sys
 from collections.abc import Callable
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import TypeVar
-
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
+from typing import Literal, TypeVar
 
 if sys.version_info >= (3, 10):
     from typing import ParamSpec
diff --git a/pylint/config/argument.py b/pylint/config/argument.py
index 697629c13..d826cbd3e 100644
--- a/pylint/config/argument.py
+++ b/pylint/config/argument.py
@@ -13,10 +13,9 @@ import argparse
 import os
 import pathlib
 import re
-import sys
 from collections.abc import Callable
 from glob import glob
-from typing import Any, Pattern, Sequence, Tuple, Union
+from typing import Any, Literal, Pattern, Sequence, Tuple, Union
 
 from pylint import interfaces
 from pylint import utils as pylint_utils
@@ -24,12 +23,6 @@ from pylint.config.callback_actions import _CallbackAction, _ExtendAction
 from pylint.config.deprecation_actions import _NewNamesAction, _OldNamesAction
 from pylint.constants import PY38_PLUS
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
-
-
 _ArgumentTypes = Union[
     str,
     int,
diff --git a/pylint/lint/message_state_handler.py b/pylint/lint/message_state_handler.py
index 96d2412c5..26028f0fa 100644
--- a/pylint/lint/message_state_handler.py
+++ b/pylint/lint/message_state_handler.py
@@ -4,10 +4,9 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import sys
 import tokenize
 from collections import defaultdict
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
 
 from pylint import exceptions, interfaces
 from pylint.constants import (
@@ -27,12 +26,6 @@ from pylint.utils.pragma_parser import (
     parse_pragma,
 )
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
-
-
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.lint.pylinter import PyLinter
 
diff --git a/pylint/lint/pylinter.py b/pylint/lint/pylinter.py
index a0441e300..ed607aca5 100644
--- a/pylint/lint/pylinter.py
+++ b/pylint/lint/pylinter.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ from io import TextIOWrapper
 from pathlib import Path
 from re import Pattern
 from types import ModuleType
-from typing import Any
+from typing import Any, Protocol
 
 import astroid
 from astroid import nodes
@@ -68,12 +68,6 @@ from pylint.typing import (
 )
 from pylint.utils import ASTWalker, FileState, LinterStats, utils
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Protocol
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Protocol
-
-
 MANAGER = astroid.MANAGER
 
 
diff --git a/pylint/reporters/json_reporter.py b/pylint/reporters/json_reporter.py
index 74fa6672b..176946e72 100644
--- a/pylint/reporters/json_reporter.py
+++ b/pylint/reporters/json_reporter.py
@@ -7,19 +7,13 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import json
-import sys
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Optional
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Optional, TypedDict
 
 from pylint.interfaces import UNDEFINED
 from pylint.message import Message
 from pylint.reporters.base_reporter import BaseReporter
 from pylint.typing import MessageLocationTuple
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import TypedDict
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import TypedDict
-
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.lint.pylinter import PyLinter
     from pylint.reporters.ureports.nodes import Section
diff --git a/pylint/testutils/_primer/package_to_lint.py b/pylint/testutils/_primer/package_to_lint.py
index 11df63bd2..1f596f02b 100644
--- a/pylint/testutils/_primer/package_to_lint.py
+++ b/pylint/testutils/_primer/package_to_lint.py
@@ -5,18 +5,13 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import logging
-import sys
 from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Literal
 
 from git import GitCommandError
 from git.cmd import Git
 from git.repo import Repo
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
-
 PRIMER_DIRECTORY_PATH = Path("tests") / ".pylint_primer_tests"
 
 
diff --git a/pylint/testutils/_primer/primer_command.py b/pylint/testutils/_primer/primer_command.py
index 08adedd4c..817c1a0d3 100644
--- a/pylint/testutils/_primer/primer_command.py
+++ b/pylint/testutils/_primer/primer_command.py
@@ -6,18 +6,12 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import abc
 import argparse
-import sys
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import Dict
+from typing import Dict, TypedDict
 
 from pylint.reporters.json_reporter import OldJsonExport
 from pylint.testutils._primer import PackageToLint
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import TypedDict
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import TypedDict
-
 
 class PackageData(TypedDict):
     commit: str
diff --git a/pylint/testutils/functional/test_file.py b/pylint/testutils/functional/test_file.py
index 5b2e4efb6..16593b5c4 100644
--- a/pylint/testutils/functional/test_file.py
+++ b/pylint/testutils/functional/test_file.py
@@ -5,9 +5,9 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import configparser
-import sys
 from collections.abc import Callable
 from os.path import basename, exists, join
+from typing import TypedDict
 
 
 def parse_python_version(ver_str: str) -> tuple[int, ...]:
@@ -19,12 +19,6 @@ class NoFileError(Exception):
     pass
 
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import TypedDict
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import TypedDict
-
-
 class TestFileOptions(TypedDict):
     min_pyver: tuple[int, ...]
     max_pyver: tuple[int, ...]
diff --git a/pylint/testutils/pyreverse.py b/pylint/testutils/pyreverse.py
index 24fddad77..c621f9e7a 100644
--- a/pylint/testutils/pyreverse.py
+++ b/pylint/testutils/pyreverse.py
@@ -7,17 +7,11 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 import argparse
 import configparser
 import shlex
-import sys
 from pathlib import Path
-from typing import NamedTuple
+from typing import NamedTuple, TypedDict
 
 from pylint.pyreverse.main import DEFAULT_COLOR_PALETTE
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import TypedDict
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import TypedDict
-
 
 # This class could and should be replaced with a simple dataclass when support for Python < 3.7 is dropped.
 # A NamedTuple is not possible as some tests need to modify attributes during the test.
diff --git a/pylint/testutils/unittest_linter.py b/pylint/testutils/unittest_linter.py
index 84fc53bc8..a19afec56 100644
--- a/pylint/testutils/unittest_linter.py
+++ b/pylint/testutils/unittest_linter.py
@@ -6,8 +6,7 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import sys
-from typing import Any
+from typing import Any, Literal
 
 from astroid import nodes
 
@@ -15,11 +14,6 @@ from pylint.interfaces import UNDEFINED, Confidence
 from pylint.lint import PyLinter
 from pylint.testutils.output_line import MessageTest
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
-
 
 class UnittestLinter(PyLinter):
     """A fake linter class to capture checker messages."""
diff --git a/pylint/typing.py b/pylint/typing.py
index ac0beaaec..da11112b4 100644
--- a/pylint/typing.py
+++ b/pylint/typing.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import argparse
-import sys
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import (
     TYPE_CHECKING,
@@ -15,19 +14,17 @@ from typing import (
     Callable,
     Dict,
     Iterable,
+    Literal,
     NamedTuple,
     Optional,
     Pattern,
+    Protocol,
     Tuple,
     Type,
+    TypedDict,
     Union,
 )
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal, Protocol, TypedDict
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal, Protocol, TypedDict
-
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.config.callback_actions import _CallbackAction
     from pylint.pyreverse.inspector import Project
diff --git a/pylint/utils/file_state.py b/pylint/utils/file_state.py
index 54b98e4be..9ae5fb077 100644
--- a/pylint/utils/file_state.py
+++ b/pylint/utils/file_state.py
@@ -5,10 +5,9 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import collections
-import sys
 from collections import defaultdict
 from collections.abc import Iterator
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Dict
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Dict, Literal
 
 from astroid import nodes
 
@@ -18,11 +17,6 @@ from pylint.constants import (
     WarningScope,
 )
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
-
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.message import MessageDefinition, MessageDefinitionStore
 
diff --git a/pylint/utils/linterstats.py b/pylint/utils/linterstats.py
index 01120115f..e7a088b7b 100644
--- a/pylint/utils/linterstats.py
+++ b/pylint/utils/linterstats.py
@@ -4,16 +4,10 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import sys
-from typing import cast
+from typing import Literal, TypedDict, cast
 
 from pylint.typing import MessageTypesFullName
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal, TypedDict
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal, TypedDict
-
 
 class BadNames(TypedDict):
     """TypedDict to store counts of node types with bad names."""
diff --git a/pylint/utils/utils.py b/pylint/utils/utils.py
index 315811ebf..543d7cbb3 100644
--- a/pylint/utils/utils.py
+++ b/pylint/utils/utils.py
@@ -24,18 +24,23 @@ import tokenize
 import warnings
 from collections.abc import Sequence
 from io import BufferedReader, BytesIO
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, List, Pattern, TextIO, Tuple, TypeVar, Union
+from typing import (
+    TYPE_CHECKING,
+    Any,
+    List,
+    Literal,
+    Pattern,
+    TextIO,
+    Tuple,
+    TypeVar,
+    Union,
+)
 
 from astroid import Module, modutils, nodes
 
 from pylint.constants import PY_EXTS
 from pylint.typing import OptionDict
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Literal
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Literal
-
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from pylint.lint import PyLinter
 
diff --git a/pylintrc b/pylintrc
index 791b16447..3896d4e35 100644
--- a/pylintrc
+++ b/pylintrc
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ unsafe-load-any-extension=no
 extension-pkg-allow-list=
 
 # Minimum supported python version
-py-version = 3.7.2
+py-version = 3.8.0
 
 # Control the amount of potential inferred values when inferring a single
 # object. This can help the performance when dealing with large functions or
@@ -108,6 +108,7 @@ disable=
     format,
     # We anticipate #3512 where it will become optional
     fixme,
+    consider-using-assignment-expr,
 
 
 [REPORTS]
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 940af4864..23da88675 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ classifiers = [
     "Programming Language :: Python",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: Only",
-    "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9",
     "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10",
@@ -32,7 +31,7 @@ classifiers = [
     "Topic :: Software Development :: Testing",
     "Typing :: Typed"
 ]
-requires-python = ">=3.7.2"
+requires-python = ">=3.8.0"
 dependencies    = [
     "dill>=0.2;python_version<'3.11'",
     "dill>=0.3.6;python_version>='3.11'",
diff --git a/tests/functional/b/bad_reversed_sequence_py37.py b/tests/functional/b/bad_reversed_sequence_py37.py
index 5a0b2124c..4f132d945 100644
--- a/tests/functional/b/bad_reversed_sequence_py37.py
+++ b/tests/functional/b/bad_reversed_sequence_py37.py
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 """ Dictionaries are reversible starting on python 3.8"""
-
 # pylint: disable=missing-docstring
 
-reversed({'a': 1, 'b': 2}) # [bad-reversed-sequence]
+# This can't be detected since changes to locals aren't backported
+reversed({'a': 1, 'b': 2})
 
 
 class InheritDict(dict):
diff --git a/tests/functional/b/bad_reversed_sequence_py37.rc b/tests/functional/b/bad_reversed_sequence_py37.rc
index 67a28a36a..77eb3be64 100644
--- a/tests/functional/b/bad_reversed_sequence_py37.rc
+++ b/tests/functional/b/bad_reversed_sequence_py37.rc
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
-[testoptions]
-max_pyver=3.8
+[main]
+py-version=3.7
diff --git a/tests/functional/b/bad_reversed_sequence_py37.txt b/tests/functional/b/bad_reversed_sequence_py37.txt
index 6fbbd2c59..da511347b 100644
--- a/tests/functional/b/bad_reversed_sequence_py37.txt
+++ b/tests/functional/b/bad_reversed_sequence_py37.txt
@@ -1,2 +1 @@
-bad-reversed-sequence:5:0:5:26::The first reversed() argument is not a sequence:UNDEFINED
 bad-reversed-sequence:12:0:12:39::The first reversed() argument is not a sequence:UNDEFINED
diff --git a/tests/functional/s/singledispatch/singledispatch_method_py37.rc b/tests/functional/s/singledispatch/singledispatch_method_py37.rc
index 67a28a36a..77eb3be64 100644
--- a/tests/functional/s/singledispatch/singledispatch_method_py37.rc
+++ b/tests/functional/s/singledispatch/singledispatch_method_py37.rc
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
-[testoptions]
-max_pyver=3.8
+[main]
+py-version=3.7
diff --git a/tests/functional/s/star/star_needs_assignment_target_py37.py b/tests/functional/s/star/star_needs_assignment_target_py38.py
index fb5eea86a..fb5eea86a 100644
--- a/tests/functional/s/star/star_needs_assignment_target_py37.py
+++ b/tests/functional/s/star/star_needs_assignment_target_py38.py
diff --git a/tests/functional/s/star/star_needs_assignment_target_py37.rc b/tests/functional/s/star/star_needs_assignment_target_py38.rc
index 67a28a36a..d584aa959 100644
--- a/tests/functional/s/star/star_needs_assignment_target_py37.rc
+++ b/tests/functional/s/star/star_needs_assignment_target_py38.rc
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
 [testoptions]
-max_pyver=3.8
+max_pyver=3.9
diff --git a/tests/functional/s/star/star_needs_assignment_target_py37.txt b/tests/functional/s/star/star_needs_assignment_target_py38.txt
index fb5a5faa6..fb5a5faa6 100644
--- a/tests/functional/s/star/star_needs_assignment_target_py37.txt
+++ b/tests/functional/s/star/star_needs_assignment_target_py38.txt
diff --git a/tests/functional/u/undefined/undefined_loop_variable.py b/tests/functional/u/undefined/undefined_loop_variable.py
index a00af5d79..10d6dc60b 100644
--- a/tests/functional/u/undefined/undefined_loop_variable.py
+++ b/tests/functional/u/undefined/undefined_loop_variable.py
@@ -1,11 +1,6 @@
 # pylint: disable=missing-docstring,redefined-builtin, consider-using-f-string, unnecessary-direct-lambda-call, broad-exception-raised
 
-import sys
-
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import NoReturn
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import NoReturn
+from typing import NoReturn
 
 
 def do_stuff(some_random_list):
diff --git a/tests/functional/u/undefined/undefined_loop_variable.txt b/tests/functional/u/undefined/undefined_loop_variable.txt
index e10c9e002..78dc602ed 100644
--- a/tests/functional/u/undefined/undefined_loop_variable.txt
+++ b/tests/functional/u/undefined/undefined_loop_variable.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-undefined-loop-variable:14:11:14:14:do_stuff:Using possibly undefined loop variable 'var':UNDEFINED
-undefined-loop-variable:33:7:33:11::Using possibly undefined loop variable 'var1':UNDEFINED
-undefined-loop-variable:83:11:83:14:do_stuff_with_redefined_range:Using possibly undefined loop variable 'var':UNDEFINED
-undefined-loop-variable:201:11:201:20:find_even_number:Using possibly undefined loop variable 'something':UNDEFINED
+undefined-loop-variable:9:11:9:14:do_stuff:Using possibly undefined loop variable 'var':UNDEFINED
+undefined-loop-variable:28:7:28:11::Using possibly undefined loop variable 'var1':UNDEFINED
+undefined-loop-variable:78:11:78:14:do_stuff_with_redefined_range:Using possibly undefined loop variable 'var':UNDEFINED
+undefined-loop-variable:196:11:196:20:find_even_number:Using possibly undefined loop variable 'something':UNDEFINED
diff --git a/tests/test_pylint_runners.py b/tests/test_pylint_runners.py
index 29c4f90e8..f3baee24b 100644
--- a/tests/test_pylint_runners.py
+++ b/tests/test_pylint_runners.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ import shlex
 import sys
 from collections.abc import Sequence
 from io import BufferedReader
-from typing import Any, NoReturn
+from typing import Any, NoReturn, Protocol
 from unittest.mock import MagicMock, mock_open, patch
 
 import pytest
@@ -22,11 +22,6 @@ from pylint.testutils import GenericTestReporter as Reporter
 from pylint.testutils._run import _Run as Run
 from pylint.testutils.utils import _test_cwd
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Protocol
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Protocol
-
 
 class _RunCallable(Protocol):  # pylint: disable=too-few-public-methods
     def __call__(self, argv: Sequence[str] | None = None) -> NoReturn | None:
diff --git a/tests/test_self.py b/tests/test_self.py
index 51a077665..48f914e35 100644
--- a/tests/test_self.py
+++ b/tests/test_self.py
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import configparser
 import contextlib
 import json
 import os
-import platform
 import re
 import subprocess
 import sys
@@ -349,16 +348,9 @@ class TestRunTC:
         assert isinstance(output, list)
         assert len(output) == 1
         assert isinstance(output[0], dict)
-        # So each version wants a different column number...
-        if platform.python_implementation() == "PyPy":
-            column = 9
-        elif sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-            column = 9
-        else:
-            column = 15
         expected = {
             "obj": "",
-            "column": column,
+            "column": 9,
             "line": 1,
             "type": "error",
             "symbol": "syntax-error",
diff --git a/tests/testutils/test_output_line.py b/tests/testutils/test_output_line.py
index c28c851ac..8e9cf2800 100644
--- a/tests/testutils/test_output_line.py
+++ b/tests/testutils/test_output_line.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import sys
+from typing import Protocol
 
 import pytest
 
@@ -16,11 +16,6 @@ from pylint.message import Message
 from pylint.testutils.output_line import OutputLine
 from pylint.typing import MessageLocationTuple
 
-if sys.version_info >= (3, 8):
-    from typing import Protocol
-else:
-    from typing_extensions import Protocol
-
 
 class _MessageCallable(Protocol):
     def __call__(self, confidence: Confidence = HIGH) -> Message:
diff --git a/tox.ini b/tox.ini
index 0c78b8798..924a72f0e 100644
--- a/tox.ini
+++ b/tox.ini
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [tox]
 minversion = 3.0
-envlist = formatting, py37, py38, py39, py310, py311, pypy, benchmark
+envlist = formatting, py38, py39, py310, py311, pypy, benchmark
 skip_missing_interpreters = true
 requires = pip >=21.3.1
 isolated_build = true