Stay ConnectedA weekly Python podcast hosted by Christopher Bailey with interviews, coding tips, and conversation with guests from the Python community.
The show covers a wide range of topics including Python programming best practices, career tips, and related software development topics. Join us every Friday morning to hear what’s new in the world of Python programming and become a more effective Pythonista.
Copyright: © 2020 Real Python
Are you interested in sharing your Python project with the broader world? Would you like to make it easily installable using pip? How do you create Python packages that share your code in a scalable and maintainable way? This week on the show, Real Python author and former guest Dane Hillard returns to talk about his new book, “Publishing Python Packages.”
Dane shares his research into creating Python packages. We talk about the tools, techniques, and potential pitfalls of publishing your packages. Dane also discusses his experiences unraveling projects and determining dependencies.
We also talk about Dane’s recent conference talk at PyGotham titled “Keeping code safe and modern with semantic searches.” He shares some security tools and practices.
Course Spotlight: Documenting Python Code: A Complete Guide
This course will get you up to speed with how to document your Python code. Documenting your code is an important step to help developers and users fully understand its usage and purpose.
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Earlier this year, the Python Software Foundation announced the creation of the Developer in Residence role. The first Visionary Sponsors of the PSF have provided funding for this new role for one year. What development responsibilities does this job address? This week on the show, we talk to previous guest Łukasz Langa about becoming the first CPython Developer in Residence.
We talk about how the first months in this role are shaping up. Łukasz discusses the need to address the backlog of open issues and pull requests. He also talks about how he is working to help the project’s volunteers move their contributions forward.
We cover his PyCon 2021 talk about generating real-time FM audio synthesis in Python. He also shares his experience developing a similar synthesis engine for an embedded hardware project.
Course Spotlight: Speech Recognition With Python
In this course, you’ll cover the fundamentals of speech recognition with Python. You’ll learn which speech recognition library gives the best results and build a full-featured “Guess The Word” game with it.
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Python 3.10 is here! This week on the show, two former guests and Real Python authors return to talk about the new version. Geir Arne Hjelle’s article was posted to the site Monday, and it’s titled “Python 3.10: Cool New Features for You to Try”. Christopher Trudeau’s video course came out on Tuesday, and it covers the topics from the article with multiple visual examples of Python 3.10 code.
Geir Arne and Christopher worked together to create code examples of the new features used in both. We talk about more user-friendly error messages, structural pattern matching, enhancements to Python’s type system, and much more.
Geir Arne and Christopher not only cover the new features but they offer advice about ways you might incorporate them into your code. We also discuss what you should think about before running the new version for your projects.
Course Spotlight: Cool New Features in Python 3.10
In this course, you’ll explore some of the coolest and most useful features in Python 3.10. You’ll appreciate more user-friendly error messages, learn about how you can handle complicated data structures with structural pattern matching, and explore new enhancements to Python’s type system.
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Have you wanted to create a Python application that goes further than a command-line interface? You would like it to have a friendly interface but don’t want to make a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or web application. Maybe a TUI (Text User Interface)would be a perfect fit for the project. This week on the show, we have Will McGugan to talk about his projects Textual and Rich.
Rich is a Python library for writing rich text to the terminal with color and style. It’s a great tool if you want to display advanced content such as tables, markdown, and syntax-highlighted code. We talk about how Will started on the project and how it’s developed over the years.
We also talk about Will’s new project Textual, a TUI using much of Rich at its core. He shares how the project is coming along and what are challenges in developing this type of application. We discuss how a TUI has more in common with CSS and web development than command line or graphical interfaces.
We also have a quick announcement at the top of the show from CPython Developer in Residence Łukasz Langa about next week’s release of Python 3.10.
Course Spotlight: Rock, Paper, Scissors With Python: A Command Line Game
In this course, you’ll learn to program rock paper scissors in Python from scratch. You’ll learn how to take in user input, make the computer choose a random action, determine a winner, and split your code into functions.
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Our TOPPODCAST Picks object.__repr__ (self): Python docsLevel up your Python skills with our expert-led courses:
Where are you along the path of learning Python? Do you feel like you’re making progress? What are ways you can put the learning path into a more precise focus? This week on the show, we talk with previous guest Martin Breuss about his recent article “How Long Does It Take to Learn Python?”
Martin discusses methods for measuring your progress and the various reasons for learning the language. We talk about how different backgrounds will affect your approach. We also suggest resources to help you on your path.
We share a couple of recent Python projects to round out the episode. The first is a library to draw stylized maps from OpenStreetMap data. The other is a framework for the analysis and visualization of trees, which includes a set of phylogenomic tools.
Course Spotlight: Using the Python return Statement Effectively
In this step-by-step course, you’ll learn how to use the Python return statement when writing functions. Additionally, you’ll cover some good programming practices related to the use of return. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to write readable, robust, and maintainable functions in Python.
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Are you a visual learner? Does it help to have programming concepts shared with concrete examples and images? Would you like to see if your child might be interested in programming? This week on the show, we talk with author Shari Eskenas about her books, “A Day in Code - Python: Learn to Code in Python Through an Illustrated Story” and “Learn Python Through Nursery Rhymes & Fairy Tales.”
We talk about the books and what inspired her to bring programming to picture books. Shari discusses her goal of providing a fun way for beginners to experience learning to code.
Shari is also an electrical engineer with multiple patents and the founder of Sundae Electronics. We talk briefly about SoundBrake, which is an audio device that alerts headphone users to outside sounds.
Shari’s programming background is primarily in C, and we cover her path to Python. We also discuss how she is using Python and the Raspberry Pi to prototype new projects.
Course Spotlight: Reading and Writing Files With Pandas
In this course, you’ll learn about the Pandas IO tools API and how you can use it to read and write files. You’ll use the Pandas read_csv() function to work with CSV files. You’ll also cover similar methods for efficiently working with Excel, CSV, JSON, HTML, SQL, pickle, and big data files.
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Are you a beginner or intermediate Python programmer who has made it through some of the fundamentals? Have you tried to tackle a big project but got stuck and frustrated? Completing some small projects might be the answer. This week on the show, we have author Al Sweigart and talk about his new book, “The Big Book of Small Python Projects.”
We discuss the advantages of sometimes thinking small in terms of Python programs. We talk about completing projects and the benefits of manually copying code by typing it in yourself. Al also has suggestions about tools for beginners and intermediate developers.
Course Spotlight: Grow Your Python Portfolio With 13 Intermediate Project Ideas
Get started on 13 Python project ideas that are just right for intermediate Python developers. They’ll challenge you enough to help you become a better Pythonista.
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How well do you know Python’s math module? Maybe you’ve used a few of the constants or arithmetic functions. You may be surprised by the amount of functionality hiding within this built-in library, and perhaps you don’t need to reach for an additional outside library. This week on the show, David Amos is back, and he’s brought another batch of PyCoder’s Weekly articles and projects.
We discuss a recent video course about the math module. David shares a recent article about implementing efficient queues and stacks with Python’s deque (double-ended queue) class. We also talk about an article that shares 25 Pandas functions you may not have known to exist.
We cover several other articles and projects from the Python community including, visualization and interactive dashboards in Python with HoloViz, designing a camera with Python and PyRayT, graphing data science with Python and networkx, another useful Python pdf library, and runtime software verification and automated testing for scientific software in Python with a project named paranoidscientist.
Course Spotlight: Exploring the Python math Module
In this step-by-step course, you’ll learn all about Python’s math module for higher-level mathematical functions. Whether you’re working on a scientific project, a financial application, or any other type of programming endeavor, you just can’t escape the need for math!
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Python’s deque: Implement Efficient Queues and Stacks – In this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll learn about Python’s deque and how to use it to perform efficient pop and append operations on both ends of your sequences. Deques are commonly used to build queues and stacks.
Visualization and Interactive Dashboard in Python – Have you ever heard of HoloViz? It’s a set of Python visualization and plotting tools for browser-based data visualization and presentation. In this article, Sophia Yang — a senior data scientist at Anaconda — explains why she loves HoloViz and what her workflow looks like when using it.
Design a Camera with Python and PyRayT – Camera lenses are more complex than you might think. If you cut open a camera to look at a cross-section, you’d see that a lens is actually made up of several smaller lenses. This article explores how camera lenses work using a new Python raytracing project called PyRayT that’s designed for designing optical systems.
25 Pandas Functions You Didn’t Know Existed – Did you know that you can style the pandas DataFrame output in a notebook? This listicle covers twenty-five pandas functions that you may not have heard of, including .explode(), .squeeze(), and the pandas DataFrame styler. There’s something in this article for everyone, so read it to find out how you can take your pandas skills to the next level.
Graph Data Science With Python and NetworkX – Graph theory network analysis can yield deep data insights that are difficult to tease out via alternative methods. Get a taste of what graph analysis can do in this quick, hands-on tutorial that uses NetworkX to create and analyze a graph.
Exploring the Python math Module – In this step-by-step course, you’ll learn all about Python’s math module for higher-level mathematical functions. Whether you’re working on a scientific project, a financial application, or any other type of programming endeavor, you just can’t escape the need for math!
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Can you make a version of Python that fits within the memory constraints of a microcontroller and have it still feel like Python? That is the intention behind CircuitPython. This week on the show, we have Scott Shawcroft, who is the project lead for CircuitPython.
We talk about all things CircuitPython. While working with the language on several projects I have developed many of my own questions to ask Scott. Scott answers my questions about boot loaders, packages, the bundle, and bluetooth low energy (BLE).
He also talks about the struggle of fitting the language and board specific libraries within tiny memory constraints. We discuss projects and boards for beginners, and many resources to learn more.
Course Spotlight: Getting Started With MicroPython
Are you interested in the Internet of Things, home automation, and connected devices? If so, then you’re in luck! In this course, you’ll learn about MicroPython and the world of electronics hardware. You’ll set up your board, write your code, and deploy a MicroPython project to your own device.
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Have you started to use Python’s assignment expression in your code? Maybe you have heard them called the walrus operator. Now that the controversy over the introduction in Python 3.8 has settled down, how can you use assignment expressions effectively in your code? This week on the show, David Amos is back, and he’s brought another batch of PyCoder’s Weekly articles and projects.
David shares a recent article by previous guest Brett Cannon about what to do if you botch a release to PyPI. It’s a valuable resource to keep bookmarked for when things go sideways. We also talk about a recent project by Brett, a Python launcher for Unix based operating systems.
We cover several other articles and projects from the Python community including, a Python framework with a built-in database and authorization support from Replit, do coders learn how to use entire libraries just from the documentation, how to use sleep() to code a Python uptime bot, monitor your home’s temperature and humidity with Raspberry Pis and Prometheus, and a fast Settlers of Catan Python implementation with a strong AI player.
Course Spotlight: Using sleep() to Code a Python Uptime Bot
In this course, you’ll learn how to add time delays to your Python programs. You’ll use the built-in time module to add Python sleep() calls to your code. To practice, you’ll use time.sleep() when making an uptime bot that checks whether a website is still live.
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The Walrus Operator: Python 3.8 Assignment Expressions – In this tutorial, you’ll learn about assignment expressions and the walrus operator. The biggest change in Python 3.8 was the inclusion of the := operator, which you can use to assign variables in the middle of expressions. You’ll see several examples of how to take advantage of this new feature.
Replit.web: A Python Framework With Built-in Database and Auth Support – The folks over at replit have released a new Python web framework with built-in authentication and database support and, more interestingly, hosting. In a few lines of code, you can have a Python web app connected to a database, authenticating users, and hosted on replit. This could be a great tool for quickly building and hosting prototypes or experimental projects.
Do Coders Really Learn How to Use Entire Libraries Just From the Documentation? – How do you learn a new library? Do you start with the docs? What do you do if the documentation is lacking? Or do you first search for video lessons or written tutorials?
Using sleep() to Code a Python Uptime Bot – Learn how to add time delays to your Python programs. You’ll use the built-in time module to add Python sleep() calls to your code. To practice, you’ll use time.sleep() when making an uptime bot that checks whether a website is still live.
Monitor Your Home’s Temperature and Humidity With Raspberry Pis and Prometheus – Do you enjoy collecting and analyzing data, or are you looking for a fun project to improve your data skills? Do you also enjoy tinkering with hardware? Then this project might be a fun one for you to check out! Learn how to set up a RaspberryPi using Prometheus to collect and monitor temperature sensor data.
What to Do When You Botch a Release on PyPI – Mistakes happen to everyone. But what do you do if you make a mistake when releasing a package to PyPI? Don’t panic! There are a number of things you can do to fix a bad release. This article walks you through several scenarios and suggested solutions.
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