The Real Python Podcast

Manage Projects With pyproject.toml & Explore Polars LazyFrames

Mar 14, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Christopher Trudeau, a regular Python enthusiast, shares insights on simplifying Python project management using a pyproject.toml file. He explains how this configuration file helps streamline dependencies and builds. The conversation also dives into Polars' LazyFrames, emphasizing their efficiency by storing query plans instead of data. Listeners are treated to a roundup of community news, including a build tutorial for a to-do app and recommendations for influential tech literature, enriching their Python experience.

48:43

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Episode guests

Christopher Trudeau

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Using pyproject.toml centralizes Python project management by simplifying package setup and dependency handling in one standardized file.

Polars LazyFrames enhance data processing efficiency by deferring execution until all query operations are specified, minimizing memory usage.

Deep dives

Simplifying Python Project Management with pyproject.toml

Using a pyproject.toml file can significantly streamline the configuration and management of Python projects. This file centralizes package setup, dependency management, and build processes into a single, standardized location, making it easier for developers to manage their projects effectively. A tutorial illustrates how to create a simple command-line application called 'Snake Say,' demonstrating the ease of project setup and structure using this file format. This approach not only formalizes project organization but also enhances clarity and reproducibility in development processes.

Intro

5min

Managing Python Projects with PyProject.toml

15min

Integrating Tools for Data Analysis and Project Packaging in Python

3min

Optimizing Data Processing and Influential Tech Literature

18min

Discovering Book Recommendations and Interactive Data Apps

6min

Exploring Funky Text Animations in the Terminal

3min

How can you simplify the management of your Python projects with one file? What are the advantages of using LazyFrames in Polars? Christopher Trudeau is back on the show this week, bringing another batch of PyCoder’s Weekly articles and projects.

We share a recent Real Python tutorial by Ian Currie about managing projects with a pyproject.toml file. This file simplifies Python project configuration by unifying package setup, managing dependencies, and streamlining builds.

Christopher continues his exploration of the Polars library by covering another Real Python tutorial about working with LazyFrames. He describes how LazyFrames don’t contain data but instead store a set of instructions known as a query plan.

We also share several other articles and projects from the Python community, including a news roundup, building a to-do app with Python and Kivy, working with DuckDB directly instead of using a DataFrame library, a discussion on fiction and nonfiction books about computer science, a terminal visual effects engine, and a full-stack platform for interactive data apps.

Course Spotlight: Everyday Project Packaging With pyproject.toml

In this Code Conversation video course, you’ll learn how to package your everyday projects with pyproject.toml. Playing on the same team as the import system means you can call your project from anywhere, ensure consistent imports, and have one file that’ll work for many build systems.

Topics:

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:02:00 – Happy Pi Day!
00:02:15 – Follow-up: Is BDD Dying?
00:03:32 – Django security releases issued: 5.1.7, 5.0.13 and 4.2.20
00:04:01 – Django 5.2 Beta 1 Released
00:04:11 – DjangoCon Africa Aug 2025 CFP
00:04:29 – Launching the PyCon US 2025 Schedule
00:04:48 – PyPy v7.3.19 Release
00:05:06 – Poetry 2.0.0 Released
00:05:34 – How to Manage Python Projects With pyproject.toml
00:12:10 – Build a To-Do App With Python and Kivy
00:16:22 – Mastering DuckDB When You’re Used to pandas or Polars
00:21:08 – Video Course Spotlight
00:22:42 – How to Work With Polars LazyFrames
00:27:41 – Fiction/Non-Fiction Books on the Topic of CS?
00:42:28 – preswald: Full-Stack Platform for Interactive Data Apps
00:45:52 – terminaltexteffects: Terminal Visual Effects Engine
00:47:59 – Thanks and goodbye

Follow-up:

News:

Django security releases issued: 5.1.7, 5.0.13 and 4.2.20 | Weblog | Django
Django 5.2 Beta 1 Released
DjangoCon Africa Aug 2025, Arusha, Tanzania, (Call for Proposals)
Launching the PyCon US 2025 Schedule – This post summarizes the schedule for PyConUS, including a summary of the keynote speakers, and updates on conference swag.
PyPy v7.3.19 Release
Poetry 2.0.0 Released

Show Links:

How to Manage Python Projects With pyproject.toml – Learn how to manage Python projects with the pyproject.toml configuration file. In this tutorial, you’ll explore key use cases of the pyproject.toml file, including configuring your build, installing your package locally, managing dependencies, and publishing your package to PyPI.
Build a To-Do App With Python and Kivy – “In this tutorial, you’ll go through a series of steps to build a basic To-Do app with Python, SQLite, and Kivy.”
Mastering DuckDB When You’re Used to pandas or Polars – Why use DuckDB / SQL at all if you’re used to DataFrames? This article makes the case for some reasons why, and shows how to perform some operations which in DataFrames are basic but in SQL aren’t necessarily obvious.
How to Work With Polars LazyFrames – In this tutorial, you’ll gain an understanding of the principles behind Polars LazyFrames. You’ll also learn why using LazyFrames is often the preferred option over more traditional DataFrames.

Discussion:

Project:

Additional Links:

Books Mentioned by Mr. Trudeau:

“The Cuckoo’s Egg” by Clifford Stoll
“Mythical Man Month” by Frederick Brooks
“Phoenix Project” by Gene Kim
“Dreaming in Code” by Scott Rosenberg
“Digital Fortress” by Dan Brown
“Godel Escher, Bach” by Douglas Hofstadlter
“A Philosophy of Software Design” by John Ousterhout’s
“I Hate The Internet” by Jarret Kobek
“Snow Crash” by Neal Stephenson
“Automate the Boring Stuff with Python” by Al Sweigart
“Django In Action” by Christopher Trudeau
“Refactoring Databases” by Scott W Ambler and Pramod J Sadalage
“The C Programming Language” by Dennis M. Ritchie and Brian W. Kernighan
“Open Source Licensing” by Lawrence Rosen
“The Quick Python Book” by Naomi R. Ceder
“Learn to Code By Solving Problems: A Python Programming Primer” by Daniel Zingaro
“Python Automation Cookbook” by Jaime Buelta

Books Mentioned by Mr. Bailey:

“The Little Schemer” by Daniel P. Friedman
“Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” by Robert M. Pirsig
“Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work” by Matthew B. Crawford
“Django for Beginners, APIs, and Professionals” by William S. Vincent
“Python Crash Course” by Eric Matthes
“Automate the Boring Stuff With Python” by Al Sweigart
“Fluent Python” by Luciano Ramalho
“Practices of the Python Pro” by Dane Hillard
“Daemon and Freedom™” by Daniel Suarez

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