Python Bytes Episode 397: PyAwaitable and Data Tooling

Episode Overview

In this episode of Python Bytes, hosts Brian Okken and Michael Kennedy explore new libraries for C extensions, advanced data visualization techniques, and infrastructure for data lakes.

Key Technical Highlights

• PyAwaitable: A new project designed for C extensions that allows developers to write C code that can accept and await native Python async functions. This tool effectively bridges C and asynchronous Python by utilizing the public C ABI.
• Plotnine: A powerful visualization library based on the grammar of graphics (similar to R's ggplot2). It is highlighted for creating professional-quality, annotated area charts.
• Delta Base: A lightweight solution for managing Delta tables, built on top of Polars and Delta Lake. It offers a streamlined, SQL-friendly experience for handling data without requiring complex schema definitions.

Community & Extras

• PyCon 2024: The team discusses the successful recap of PyCon US 2024, noting high attendance figures and the release of all session recordings on YouTube.
• Digital Minimalism: Michael shares his personal experiment with using a "dumb phone" layout on his iPhone to reduce digital distraction and curb the "black hole" effect of mobile notifications.
• Educational Resources: Brian announces the release of his new course, Hello PyTest, a concise training module aimed at helping developers master the popular testing framework.

"The Tau is embodied in all software, regardless of how insignificant."

This episode also includes a humorous reflection on the "Tao of Programming" and a trip down memory lane regarding hardware turbo buttons.