Python generators provide an elegant mechanism for handling iteration, particularly for large datasets where traditional approaches may be memory-intensive. Unlike standard functions that compute and return all values at once, generators produce values on demand through the yield statement, enabling efficient memory usage and creating new possibilities for data processing workflows. Generator Function Mechanics At… Continue reading Optimizing Python: Understanding Generator Mechanics, Expressions, and Efficiency
Articles on Concepts
The Mutable Trap: Avoiding Unintended Side Effects in Python
By Craig Richards on 3 February 2025
Ever had a Python function behave strangely, remembering values between calls when it shouldn’t? You’re not alone! This is one of Python’s sneakiest pitfalls—mutable default parameters. Recently someone asked for help in our Pybites Circle Community with a Bite exercise that seemed to be behaving unexpectedly. It turned out that this was a result of modifying a mutable parameter… Continue reading The Mutable Trap: Avoiding Unintended Side Effects in Python
A Practical Example of the Pipeline Pattern in Python
By Juan José Expósito González on 8 November 2024
What is this pattern about? The Pipeline design pattern (also known as Chain of Command pattern) is a flexible way to handle a sequence of actions, where each handler in the chain processes the input data and passes it to the next handler. This pattern is commonly used in scenarios involving data processing, web scraping,… Continue reading A Practical Example of the Pipeline Pattern in Python
What is the Repository Pattern and How to Use it in Python?
By Bob Belderbos on 20 June 2024
The repository pattern is a design pattern that helps you separate business logic from data access code. It does so by providing a unified interface for interacting with different data sources, bringing the following advantages to your system: A practical example Let’s use Python and sqlmodel (PyPI) to demonstrate this pattern (code here): Note: In this implementation,… Continue reading What is the Repository Pattern and How to Use it in Python?
Adventures in Import-land, Part II
By Ashlynn Antrobus on 8 April 2024
“KeyError: ‘GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS‘” It was way too early in the morning for this error. See if you can spot the problem. I hadn’t had my coffee before trying to debug the code I’d written the night before, so it will probably take you less time than it did me. app.py: file_handling.py: See the problem? This was… Continue reading Adventures in Import-land, Part II
Case Study: GitHub Copilot and the deceiving ladder
By Michael Aydinbas on 7 March 2024
Can GitHub Copilot be used to solve mathematical puzzles? What to be aware of when AI assistants are too confident.
Stuck in import hell? Walk your way out.
By Russell Helmstedter on 22 February 2024
Welcome to Hell Cue the theme song from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. This is a story that turns out well. But my code got stuck in import hell. I tried to teach my students all about pytest. Instead, for two days, I was sent on a debugging quest. I teach middle school students… Continue reading Stuck in import hell? Walk your way out.
Elevate Your Python: Harnessing the Power of Abstract Base Classes (ABCs)
By Bob Belderbos on 26 January 2024
Introduction One cool object-oriented programming (OOP) technique / pattern is enforcing consistent interfaces. In Python you can use Abstract Base Classes (ABCs) for that. 🐍 Using ABCs ensures that all subclasses implement the required methods. This can make it easier to maintain and extend the existing code base. Update Feb 2024: you can also leverage… Continue reading Elevate Your Python: Harnessing the Power of Abstract Base Classes (ABCs)
Exploring the Role of Static Methods in Python: A Functional Perspective
By Bob Belderbos on 24 January 2024
Introduction Python’s versatility in supporting different programming paradigms, including procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming, opens up a rich landscape for software design and development. Among these paradigms, the use of static methods in Python, particularly in an object-oriented context, has been a topic of debate. This article delves into the role and implications of static… Continue reading Exploring the Role of Static Methods in Python: A Functional Perspective
What The Heck Is Yield For?
By Erik O'Shaughnessy on 11 October 2023
A question came up recently about the purpose of the Python yield expression and when you should use it. Consider this silly function that computes a list of integers from 0 to 99 raised to the given exponent: When called, this function runs thru all 100 integers in the range computing each term and then returns the… Continue reading What The Heck Is Yield For?