Head First Python

Chapter 11. Dealing with Complexity: Data wrangling

It’s great when you can apply Python to a specific domain area. Whether it’s web development, database management, or mobile apps, Python helps you get the job done by not getting in the way of you coding your solution. And then there’s the other types of problems: the ones you can’t categorize or attach to a domain. Problems that are in themselves so unique you have to look at them in a different, highly specific way. Creating bespoke software solutions to these type of problems is an area where Python excels. In this, your final chapter, you’ll stretch your Python skills to the limit and solve problems along the way.

What’s a good time goal for the next race?

The Head First Marathon Club has spent years collecting and collating data on their distance runners. Over time, this data has helped the club produce a large spreadsheet of pace data that helps their runners predict their performance over various distances. The spreadsheet is huge and runs to 50 columns of tightly packed data.

Let’s take a look at the club’s data, as well as the way the runners and their coach use it.

So... what’s the problem?

Not to mention: forgetting the sheets, ...