get_df(source_name: str, table_name: Optional[str] = None) -> pd.DataFrame
The get_df function retrieves data from a configured source and returns it as a pandas DataFrame. For database sources (PostgreSQL, ClickHouse), a table name must be specified.

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Parameters

  • source_name (str): Name of the data source as configured in preswald.toml OR a path to a file (supports CSV, Parquet, and JSON)
  • table_name (Optional[str]): Required for database sources, specifies which table to retrieve

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Returns

  • pd.DataFrame: Data from the specified source as a pandas DataFrame

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Usage Examples

Note: connect must be called before get_df can be used.

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CSV Source

For CSV sources, table_name is not required since the entire CSV file is treated as a single table: 
from preswald import get_df

# Read entire CSV file
customers_df = get_df('eq_csv')

# Or, read specific CSV file
customers_df = get_df('data/sample.csv')

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PostgreSQL Source

For PostgreSQL sources, table_name is required: 
from preswald import get_df

# Read specific table from PostgreSQL
earthquakes_df = get_df('eq_pg', 'earthquake_events')

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ClickHouse Source

Similarly for ClickHouse sources, table_name is required: 
from preswald import get_df

# Read specific table from ClickHouse
events_df = get_df('eq_clickhouse', 'events')

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Error Handling

The function includes comprehensive error handling:
  1. Validates source existence
  2. Checks for required table_name parameter for database sources
  3. Handles connection and query errors
  4. Provides detailed error messages through logging

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Best Practices

  1. Always check if source exists in preswald.toml before calling
  2. For database sources, always provide table_name
  3. Use error handling when calling the function
  4. Consider memory limitations when retrieving large datasets
Example with error handling: 
from preswald import get_df

try:
    df = get_df('eq_pg', 'large_table')
except ValueError as e:
    print(f"Configuration error: {e}")
except Exception as e:
    print(f"Error retrieving data: {e}")
  • query(): For custom SQL queries against data sources