Russell Keith-Magee - Build a Data Visualization App For Your Phone | PyData Global 2023

Deploy Python apps to phone using Briefcase, a tool for packaging and deploying to multiple platforms. Learn how to use language bridges, app configs, and developer mode for a customized mobile app experience.

Key takeaways
  • Briefcase is a tool for packaging Python applications, allowing for deployment to multiple platforms, including iOS and Android.
  • To deploy a Python app to mobile devices, you need to wrap it in a native executable using Briefcase and specify the platform and target architecture.
  • The app settings override project settings, except for four specific settings: Sources, Requires, Test, and Build.
  • You can use the same Python codebase to deploy to multiple platforms, including desktop and mobile devices.
  • Briefcase uses language bridges to access native widgets on each platform, allowing for seamless integration with platform-specific features.
  • The app configuration defines the app’s name, author, and other settings, and is used to create the app bundle.
  • The app bundle is a standalone unit that can be given to users without requiring them to install Python or any other dependencies.
  • Briefcase includes a developer mode, allowing for rapid iteration and testing of the app and its configuration.
  • You can use Briefcase to deploy a Pygame app to multiple platforms, and it supports integration with device sensors such as cameras and accelerometers.
  • Briefcase uses a wizard to guide the deployment process, and includes options for customizing the app’s behavior and appearance.
  • The app can be deployed to multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux desktops.
  • Briefcase is maintained by Anaconda, and is part of the Bewear suite of tools for creating native user interfaces in Python.
  • The Bewear suite includes tools for creating GUI apps, web apps, and console apps, and is designed to support multiple platforms and environments.