What's a good medium/large project for a Python programmer?

Question

Just like the title asks. I've been learning Python for a while now and I'd say I'm pretty decent with it. I'm looking for a medium or large project to keep me busy for quite a while. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Consider something that does the following:

• is multi threaded and preferably include need for synchronization
• reads/writes data to a remote database (or even local database)
• reads from a web service and includes xml parsing
• outputs xml/ html

There are a number of example projects you could do, but if you accomplish all the above, then it will surely give sufficient exposure.

Answer 2

If I had the time to code something just for the fun and the experience, I would personally start an open source project for something that people need and which does not already exist.

You can search the Web for a list of missing opensource projects, or you can base it on your own experience (for example, I would personally love to have some way to synchronize my iPhone with thunderbird+lightning : I hear there's a solution through Google Calendars, but I would like a solution without external servers).

Answer 3

You can also invent a game and code it with pygame. They're always fun to code and you still learn a lot when you code a game.

Answer 4

What are you interested in doing? You could write a whole host of database programs, for keeping track of recipes, cd's, contacts, self tests, etc....

Basically make code to load/save to a database and enforce some business rules, then expose it by a web service. Then make both a web front end and an application graphical front end (using TK/WxWidgets/Qt (4.5 will be LGPL YAY)) that talk with the web service.

That should give you practice with creating/talking with web services (something more and more companies are doing) along with both main ways of creating a GUI.

Answer 5

You could try to replicate an application that is impressive to you just for the sake of guessing how it works behind the scene.

If I had to do that, I'd probably try to clone the following webapps using Django:

• BaseCamp
• dPaste
• Reddit
• Mint.com

Answer 6

Find a local charitable orgainzation with a lousy web presence. Solve their problem. Help other people. Learn more Python. Everyone wins.

Answer 7

I think the best thing you can do now is spend time learning a new technology, preferably including a new programming language.

Answer 8

Here at stackoverflow there are already people asking for solutions to their problems:

e.g.: If you are interested in GUI programming: thumbnailctrl

Answer 9

Anything that hasn't been done to death... no need for yet another clone of popular app x