How do you start packaging your code with pyproject.toml? Would you like to join a conversation that gently walks you through setting up your Python projects to share? This week on the show, Christopher Trudeau is here, bringing another batch of PyCoder’s Weekly articles and projects.

We discuss a recent code conversation featuring Real Python team members Ian Currie and Geir Arne Hjelle. The video dives into the officially sanctioned way to configure your project using a pyproject.toml file. We cover how this relatively new approach will help you package your code for use on your system or for sharing with others.

Christopher shares a Real Python tutorial about using pathlib to get a list of all the files within a directory. We’re both fans of pathlib and how it simplifies working with file paths. The tutorial digs into methods to recursively list all directory contents or create a conditional listing.

We share several other articles and projects from the Python community, including an explanation of Python bytecode, an argument for always using [closed, open) intervals, a discussion about building the monolith before microservices, a way to parse natural language time and date expressions, and a project for posting on Mastodon.

Course Spotlight: Using Python’s pathlib Module

In this video course, you’ll learn how to effectively work with file system paths in Python 3 using the pathlib module in the standard library.

Topics:

00:00:00 – Introduction
00:02:30 – Always Use [closed, open) Intervals
00:07:05 – Everyday Project Packaging With pyproject.toml
00:15:38 – Sponsor: InfluxDB
00:16:27 – How to Get a List of All Files in a Directory With Python
00:20:37 – Python Bytecode Explained
00:29:39 – Video Course Spotlight
00:30:48 – Build the Modular Monolith First
00:44:34 – toot - PyPI
00:49:58 – quickadd: Parse Natural Language Time and Date Expressions
00:53:09 – Thanks and goodbye

Show Links:

Always Use [closed, open) Intervals – “Intervals or ranges pop-up everywhere in the programming world. The classic example is picking a start and end date, like you would when booking an AirBnB or a flight. Have you ever wondered why they are always implemented as [closed, open) as opposed to [closed, closed]?”
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.
How to Get a List of All Files in a Directory With Python – In this tutorial, you’ll be examining a couple of methods to get a list of files and folders in a directory with Python. You’ll also use both methods to recursively list directory contents. Finally, you’ll examine a situation that pits one method against the other.
Python Bytecode Explained – When a Python program is run, the interpreter first parses your code and checks for syntax errors, then it translates it into bytecode instructions. This article explains some of the features of Python bytecode.

Discussion:

Build the Modular Monolith First – “Even talking about building a monolith today, is a bit taboo. It is all about microservices at the moment, and has been for a few years. But they aren’t a silver bullet.” Coding samples in the article aren’t Python, but the architectural advice is cross-language.
Microservices and the First Law of Distributed Objects
“I’m convinced that one of the biggest architectural mistakes of the past decade was going full microservice” Jason Warner - Twitter

Projects:

toot - PyPI
quickadd: Parse Natural Language Time and Date Expressions

Additional Links:

Level up your Python skills with our expert-led courses:

Support the podcast & join our community of Pythonistas

MM040 Das Tablett

Shownotes