Python project trove classifiers - Do you need this bit of pyproject.toml metadata?

About this Episode

Classifiers are one bit of Python project metadata that predates PyPI.

Classifiers are weird.

They were around in setuptools days, and are still here with pyproject.toml.

• What are they?
• Why do we need them?
• Do we need them?
• Which classifiers should I include?
• Why are they called "trove classifiers" in the Python docs

Brett Cannon joins the show to discuss these wacky bits of metadata.

Here's an example, from pytest-crayons:

[project]
...
classifiers = [
    "License :: OSI Approved :: MIT License",
    "Framework :: Pytest"
    ]

Episode Links

• Classifiers · PyPI
• PEP 621 – Storing project metadata in pyproject.toml | peps.python.org
• Packaging Python Projects — Python Packaging User Guide — Configuring metadata
• PEP 639 – Improving License Clarity with Better Package Metadata | peps.python.org
• SPDX