The Real Python Podcast

Bartosz Zaczyński, a Real Python team member, and Christopher Trudeau, an instructor and course author, delve into the exciting features of Python 3.14. They explore the enhanced REPL with colorful syntax and improved commands. Zstandard compression gets a spotlight, along with safer debugging hooks and the benefits of lazy annotation evaluation. The duo highlights practical tips for adopting the new features in projects, ensuring developers are ready to embrace the latest updates!

Stephen Gruppetta, an experienced Python instructor, and Martin Breuss, a dedicated bootcamp teacher, delve into effective strategies for learning Python. They discuss the importance of motivation through personal projects and mastering the fundamentals before diving deeper. The duo highlights how generative AI can assist learning by validating understanding and providing feedback. They also emphasize using the REPL for immediate practice and advise beginners to pick a coding editor and focus on learning rather than perfection. Finally, they tease an upcoming live beginner course designed to boost confidence.

Christopher Trudeau, a regular contributor to PyCoder's Weekly, shares his insights into managing feature flags effectively. He discusses the benefits of targeting specific user groups and the challenges of growing functionality tests. The conversation also covers a detailed comparison of six popular Python visualization libraries, providing code examples to aid selection. Additionally, Trudeau highlights community projects, including a news roundup and a fun Unicode cipher, showcasing the vibrant Python ecosystem.

Kyle Stratis, a machine learning consultant and author of 'AI Agents with MCP,' discusses the pitfalls of converting REST APIs to Model Context Protocol (MCP). He emphasizes the importance of avoiding automated tools that compromise an AI agent's context. Steven Gruppetta joins to share insights on Python learning outcomes for beginners. The conversation covers the contrasting interaction models of REST and MCP, the significance of well-defined workflows for agents, and the potential of memory-enabled agents to enhance creativity and developer productivity.

Christopher Trudeau, a frequent contributor on Python topics, returns to discuss crucial choices for hosting Python applications. He compares platforms like Railway and Heroku, as well as free options such as Python Anywhere. Trudeau also shares insights on the recent Python documentary, spotlighting its historical significance and key moments in Python's evolution. Additionally, they dive into ways to optimize Python performance and explore exciting community projects like a music library manager and a color science tool, making it a rich conversation for developers.

Jodie Burchell, an AI tooling specialist passionate about learning C and CUDA programming, shares insights on the rapidly evolving landscape of large language models. They discuss the GPT-5 release and the industry's struggle with diminishing returns in scaling. Jodie highlights flaws in model assessments and the complexities of measuring AI intelligence. The conversation also touches on economic factors influencing job markets and the challenges developers face with AI integration and productivity in software development.

Discover how mixin classes enhance code reuse in Python through multiple inheritance. Dive into challenges with async programming and learn about the new capabilities in CPython's JIT builds. Explore the latest trends from the 2024 Python Developer Survey and hear about innovations like the Leopards library for efficient querying. Plus, get insights on optimizing Python practices and the exciting new video course on object-oriented programming principles. Engage with the vibrant Python community that's shaping the future of development!

Travis Oliphant, the creator of NumPy and SciPy, shares his pivotal journey from biomedical imaging to leading the scientific Python community. He discusses the development of powerful open-source tools that data scientists rely on daily. Travis dives into the upcoming Python documentary, community engagement, and the challenges of sustaining open-source projects. He also emphasizes the importance of collaboration and education, while reflecting on healthier lifestyle choices and aspirations for the future.

Christopher Trudeau, a recurring guest and author of 'Django in Action,' dives into the nuanced battle of inheritance versus composition in object-oriented programming. He discusses a thought-provoking article that uncovers the deeper reasons behind choosing one over the other. The conversation also touches on recent Python community updates and intriguing projects like converting HTML to markdown and a library for audio processing. Plus, Trudeau highlights why understanding dunder methods is essential for effective Python coding.

Jeroen Janssens and Thijs Nieuwdorp, authors of 'Python Polars: The Definitive Guide', share their journey with Polars, a powerful DataFrame library for Python. They discuss its advantages over pandas, the significant speed improvements they've encountered, and the transition from R to Python. The duo elaborates on the differences between lazy and eager APIs, offering practical tips for users. Their insights on collaborative writing highlight the importance of community in technical literature and learning, making this a fascinating listen for data enthusiasts.