Are you interested in learning more about Django? Would you like to meet other professionals and learn how they are using Django? DjangoCon Europe 2021 is virtual this year, and you can join in from anywhere in the world. This week on the show, we have Miguel Magalhães and David Vaz, two of the organizers of the conference.

We discuss what makes DjangoCon Europe unique. David and Miguel talk about how they got involved and how the conference passes between different countries. They also cover the struggle of upending their plans for hosting the conference in Porto Portugal last year and how this year could use some extra support.

Tickets are available now. DjangoCon Europe is looking for additional sponsors. If you work for an organization that can help, get in contact with them.

Course Spotlight: Get Started With Django: Build a Portfolio App

In this course, you’ll learn the basics of creating powerful web applications with Django, a Python web framework. You’ll build a portfolio website to showcase your web development projects, complete with a fully functioning blog.

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This week’s show is a bit different. We are taking a well-deserved short break, but we still wanted to share an episode with you. This rewind episode highlights clips from the many interviews over the past year or so of the show.

We also hear from many new listeners who have just discovered the show. Welcome aboard! We wanted to provide a sample of guests, topics, and questions we feature on the show.

For long-time listeners, this will be a brisk walk through past episodes and guests. We’ve talked with many guests, and it was hard to narrow it down to the sample provided here. We hope you enjoy this podcast rewind, and look forward to sharing a fantastic slate of upcoming guests.

Course Spotlight: Plot With Pandas: Python Data Visualization Basics

In this course, you’ll get to know the basic plotting possibilities that Python provides in the popular data analysis library pandas. You’ll learn about the different kinds of plots that pandas offers, how to use them for data exploration, and which types of plots are best for certain use cases.

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Are you interested in creating video games but feel limited in what you can accomplish within Python? Is there a platform where you can take advantage of your Python skills and provide the benefits of a dedicated game engine? This week on the show, we have Paweł Fertyk. Paweł is a Real Python author and has been creating games as Miskatonic Studio for several years now.

Paweł has worked with PyGame. We recently featured his article on creating a clone of Asteroids in a previous episode. After working with PyGame for a while, he also tried a visual novel engine named Ren’Py, and Panda3D.

After struggling within these Python libraries, he started to look for an open-source game engine that could help him create the types of games he was striving to create. He found Godot and its Python-like scripting language of GDScript. We talk about his creations, the tools, and how game development is not exactly like most other types of development.

Course Spotlight: Make a 2D Side-Scroller Game With PyGame

In this step-by-step course, you’ll learn how to use PyGame. This library allows you to create games and rich multimedia programs in Python. You’ll learn how to draw items on your screen, implement collision detection, handle user input, and much more!

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Are you looking for a bit of order when working with dictionaries in Python? Are you aware that the Python dict has changed over the last several versions and now keeps items in order? Could you learn more about object-oriented programming in Python by comparing it to another language? This week on the show, David Amos is back, and he’s brought another batch of PyCoder’s Weekly articles and projects.

David covers a Real Python article about the differences between the OrderedDict versus a standard dictionary. We discuss a recent video course about how object-oriented programming in Python compares to Java.

We cover several other articles and projects from the Python community including, what is Werkzeug, building a full-text search engine in 150 lines of Python code, loading SQL data into pandas without running out of memory, how to beat the Berlin rental market with a Python script, replacing print with ice cream, and the new version of CircuitPython and Mu.

Course Spotlight: Python vs Java: Object Oriented Programming

In this step-by-step course, you’ll learn about the practical differences in Python vs Java for object-oriented programming. By the end, you’ll be able to apply your knowledge to Python, understand how to reinterpret your understanding of Java objects to Python, and use objects in a Pythonic way.

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OrderedDict vs dict in Python: The Right Tool for the Job – In this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll learn what Python’s OrderedDict is and how to use it in your code. You’ll also learn about the main differences between regular dictionaries and ordered dictionaries.

What is Werkzeug? – Have you ever noticed that when you install Flask a dependency called Werkzeug is also installed? Werkzeug provides a set of utilities for building a WSGI interface in Python, which is an important part of any web application. This article will take you on a deep dive of Werkzeug and show you exactly how it works so you can have a deeper understanding of Flask applications.

Building a Full-Text Search Engine in 150 Lines of Python Code – Go from data preparation to search engine in just a few lines of Python.

Loading SQL Data Into Pandas Without Running Out of Memory – If you need to load a bunch of SQL query results into a Pandas DataFrame, then you might run into a problem if there are enough rows in the SQL query’s results: it won’t fit in RAM. Panda’s read_sql() function has a batching option, but it loads all of the data into memory, too. So, how do you handle larger-than-memory queries with Pandas? This article will show you how!

How I Beat the Berlin Rental Market With a Python Script – Learn how one Python developer used a Python script to analyze the housing market in Berlin and predict when a property would be sold or when the price would be decreased. While the article doesn’t include a lot of technical details, it’s a great case study of how Python, its rich ecosystem, and a little creativity can turn solving a banal problem — like searching for a new house in a crowded market — into something fun and intellectually rewarding!

Python vs Java: Object Oriented Programming – You may have heard that “everything is an object in Python.” But what does that mean for doing object oriented programming? If you’re coming to Python with a Java background, you’ll want to check out this course to learn how to reinterpret your understanding of Java objects to Python, and use objects in a Pythonic way.

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Do you think it’s time to refactor your Python code? What should you think about before starting this task? This week on the show, we have Brendan Maginnis and Nick Thapen from Sourcery. Sourcery is an automated refactoring tool that integrates into your IDE and suggests improvements to your code.

Nick and Brendan provide advice on how to start refactoring and setting achievable code objectives. We discuss setting up unit testing and building confidence that you aren’t changing your code’s fundamental meaning. We also talk about technical debt and how it can creep into your organization’s projects.

Course Spotlight: Python Booleans: Leveraging the Values of Truth

In this course, you’ll learn about the built-in Python Boolean data type, which is used to represent the truth value of an expression. You’ll see how to use Booleans to compare values, check for identity and membership, and control the flow of your programs with conditionals.

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Do you know how a neural network functions? What goes into building one from scratch using Python? This week on the show, David Amos is back, and he’s brought another batch of PyCoder’s Weekly articles and projects.

David talks about a recent Real Python article titled “Python AI: How to Build a Neural Network & Make Predictions.” This article covers how to train a neural network and create a linear regression model.

We also cover several articles about testing in Python including, writing unit tests, testing code in Jupyter notebooks, and a testing style guide.

We cover several other articles and projects from the Python community including, how to build an Asteroids game with Python and Pygame, a 5-point framework for Python performance management, how it helps to know a Python programmer if you want a vaccination appointment, a Flask mega-tutorial, and the new release of SQLAlchemy.

Course Spotlight: Python Coding Interviews: Tips & Best Practices

In this step-by-step course, you’ll learn how to take your Python coding interview skills to the next level and use Python’s built-in functions and modules to solve problems faster and more easily.

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Build an Asteroids Game With Python and Pygame – Build a clone of the Asteroids game in Python using Pygame. Step by step, you’ll add images, input handling, game logic, sounds, and text to your program.

Python AI: How to Build a Neural Network & Make Predictions – Build a neural network from scratch as an introduction to the world of artificial intelligence (AI) in Python. You’ll learn how to train your neural network and make accurate predictions based on a given dataset.

How to Write Unit Tests in Python, Part 1: Fizz Buzz – Get an introduction to unit testing in Python from the author of the Flask Megatutorial.

A 5-Point Framework For Python Performance Management – “Performance testing — like sailboat racing — depends on the conditions along the racecourse.”

Unit Testing Python Code in Jupyter Notebooks – Even if you code in Jupyter notebooks, there’s no excuse to not be testing your code!

Python Testing Style Guide – Need a quick yet thorough guide to testing? This excellent resource is for you.

Want a vaccination appointment? It helps to know a Python programmer – Programmers are writing scripts to help find vaccine appointments for those who are eligible.

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If you haven’t visited the website lately, then you’re missing out on the updates to realpython.com! The site features a completely refreshed layout with multiple sections to help you take advantage of even more great educational Python content. This week on the show, we have Dan Bader, the person behind Real Python, and all these architectural changes.

Among the features changed are a new bookmarking system, a section to keep track of what you’ve been learning lately, and a much more advanced way to search the site. A new tile system makes it easier to explore learning paths, quizzes, office hours, and other sections of the site.

Dan shares details about the website technology stack and why he started using Python for the core content management system. He also talks about the struggle of being the sole maintainer and feature architect.

Spotlight: Python Basics: A Practical Introduction to Python 3

Go from beginner to intermediate in Python with this complete curriculum, up-to-date for Python 3.9. Python Basics includes exercises, interactive quizzes, and sample projects, so you’ll always know what to focus on next in order to build a strong Python foundation. Paperback copies are available now.

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Have you heard about NoSQL databases, or wondered how to use one with Python? How does MongoDB store information and what packages can you use to connect this type of database to your Python project? This week on the show, David Amos is back, and he’s brought another batch of PyCoder’s Weekly articles and projects.

David talks about a recent Real Python video course about managing namespaces in Python. We also look at a few recent stories about the Python packaging ecosystem.

We cover several other articles and projects from the Python community including, generating customizable PDF reports with Python, how semantic versioning will not save you, PEP 621 is final, a user hits the Python community with 4,000 fake modules, making a synth with Python, and what is running on the Mars helicopter.

Course Spotlight: Navigating Namespaces and Scope in Python

In this course, you’ll learn about Python namespaces, the structures used to store and organize the symbolic names created during execution of a Python program. You’ll learn when namespaces are created, how they are implemented, and how they define variable scope.

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Generate Customizable PDF Reports With Python – Learn how to generate custom PDF reports using reportlab and pdfrw with a PyQt GUI.

Semantic Versioning Will Not Save You – Semantic versioning aims to both communicate the version of software as well as promise that certain versions won’t break anything. Sounds great, right? In a lot of cases it is, but a blind reliance on semantic versioning can come back to haunt you.

PEP 621 Is Final – In the near future, you’ll be able to store project metadata in pyproject.toml.

Poison Packages: User Hits Python Community With 4000 Fake Modules – Recently, a PyPI user going by the name “Remind Supply Chain Risks” uploaded nearly 4,000 fake modules to the index, many of which were named as common misspellings of popular packages. Learn about the incident in this article, and read all the way to the end for four tips every Python developer should follow.

Python and MongoDB: Connecting to NoSQL Databases – Learn how to use Python to interface with the NoSQL database system MongoDB. You’ll get an overview of the differences between SQL and NoSQL, and you’ll also learn about related tools, including PyMongo and MongoEngine.

Navigating Namespaces and Scope in Python – Learn about Python namespaces, the structures used to store and organize the symbolic names created during the execution of a Python program. You’ll learn when namespaces are created, how they are implemented, and how they define variable scope.

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Making a Synth With Python: Oscillators – Learn how to create oscillators using Python as a foundation for creating your own software synthesizers. This article is one of a three-part series. The other articles cover modulators and controllers.

Python Is Running on the Mars Helicopter

How the First Helicopter on Mars Uses Off-the-Shelf Hardware and Linux

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What goes into the decision of how to host your Python code or application in the cloud? Which technology stack is the right size for your project? This week on the show, we have Calvin Hendryx-Parker. Calvin talks about cloud hosting options, infrastructure choices, and deployment tools.

Calvin is the co-founder and CTO of Six Feet Up, and co-organizer of the Python Web Conference. We talk about finding the right tools for clients. He also discusses the Python platform they created for hosting a virtual conference.

We also discuss hosting personal portfolio projects. That conversation leads to the question, what types of skills you can showcase through creating a hosted project.

Course Spotlight: Creating PyQt Layouts for GUI Applications

In this step-by-step course, you’ll learn how to use PyQt layouts to arrange and manage the graphical components on your GUI applications. With the help of PyQt’s layout managers, you’ll be able to create polished and professional GUIs with minimal effort.

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Have you wanted to get your Python code to consume data from web-based APIs? Maybe you’ve dabbled with the requests package, but you don’t know what steps to take next. This week on the show, David Amos is back, and he’s brought another batch of PyCoder’s Weekly articles and projects.

We discuss an article titled, “Python’s APIs: A Winning Combo for Reading Public Data”. David shares another Real Python article about creating microservices using Google Remote Procedure Calls (gRPC).

We also cover several other articles and projects from the Python community including, making a difficult data analysis question easy with pandas, efficiently cleaning text with pandas, the tricky bits of Python concurrency, building rich terminal dashboards, making better assertions for Python tests, and building and managing real-life data science projects with metaflow.

Course Spotlight: Making HTTP Requests With Python

The “requests” library is the de facto standard for making HTTP requests in Python. It abstracts the complexities of making requests behind a beautiful, simple API so that you can focus on interacting with services and consuming data in your application. This course shows you how to work effectively with “requests”, from start to finish.

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Python Microservices With gRPC – Learn how to build a robust and developer-friendly Python microservices infrastructure using gRPC and Kubernetes. You’ll also explore advanced topics such as interceptors and integration testing.

Python’s APIs: A Winning Combo for Reading Public Data – Learn what APIs are and how to consume them using Python. You’ll also learn some core concepts for working with APIs, such as status codes, HTTP methods, using the requests library, and much more.

Making a Difficult Data Analysis Question Easy With Pandas – A great strategy to use when faced with a tricky data analysis problem is to reshape the dataset into a format that turns it into an easy problem. In this article, you’ll look at an example involving a simple calculation and extensive reshaping in pandas.

Efficiently Cleaning Text With Pandas – In this article, you’ll see some examples of cleaning text fields in a large data file and learn several strategies for efficiently cleaning unstructured text fields using Python and pandas.

Python Concurrency: The Tricky Bits – An exploration of threads, processes, and coroutines in Python, with interesting examples that illuminate the differences between each.

Building Rich Terminal Dashboards – Learn how to use the Rich CLI library’s new terminal dashboard feature.

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