Master Python for Real Projects

Write Pythonic code, not just Python code

1–2 weeks. The Pythonic rewrite takes an afternoon. The CSV program takes 2–3 days the first time — file I/O always surprises.

Work with APIs and external libraries

1–2 weeks. Finding the right API takes longer than using it. Budget a day just for API selection.

Write tests for your own code

1–2 weeks. Writing the first 3 tests takes a day. Writing the next 5 — the edge cases — takes longer because you have to think about what could go wrong.

Build a data pipeline from files to output

2–3 weeks. The CLI takes half a day. The reproducibility requirement takes longer than expected — running it twice and comparing output hashes is the test.

Publish a Python package on PyPI

2–3 weeks. The packaging setup takes a full day the first time. Publishing to PyPI is 30 minutes once packaging is done. Finding a real user is the hard part.