To summarize the previous three chapters, here is a table showing what **encoder** you should use:

In this challenge, you work with the **penguins dataset** (no missing values). All categorical features — including the target `'species'` — must be encoded for ML use.

import pandas as pd

df = pd.read_csv('https://codefinity-content-media.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/a65bbc96-309e-4df9-a790-a1eb8c815a1c/penguins_imputed.csv')

print(df.head())

Keep in mind that `'island'` and `'sex'` are categorical **features** and `'species'` is a categorical **target**.

import unittest
import pandas as pd
import numpy as np

def _dynamic_test(test_case, condition, success_message, failure_message):
    if condition:
        test_case._testMethodName = success_message
        test_case.assertTrue(True, success_message)
    else:
        test_case._testMethodName = failure_message
        test_case.fail(failure_message)

class TestEncoding(unittest.TestCase):

    @classmethod
    def setUpClass(cls):
        cls.df_raw = pd.read_csv(
            'https://codefinity-content-media.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/a65bbc96-309e-4df9-a790-a1eb8c815a1c/penguins_imputed.csv'
        )
        import user_code
        cls.user_code = user_code

    def test_imports_encoders(self):
        from sklearn.preprocessing import OneHotEncoder, LabelEncoder
        uc = self.user_code
        cond = isinstance(getattr(uc, 'feature_enc', None), OneHotEncoder) and \
               isinstance(getattr(uc, 'label_enc', None), LabelEncoder)
        _dynamic_test(
            self,
            cond,
            "Used OneHotEncoder for features and LabelEncoder for target",
            "Used OneHotEncoder for features and LabelEncoder for target"
        )

    def test_feature_columns_encoded(self):
        uc = self.user_code
        expected = ['island_Biscoe', 'island_Dream', 'island_Torgersen',
                    'sex_FEMALE', 'sex_MALE']
        cond = all(col in uc.X.columns for col in expected)
        _dynamic_test(
            self,
            cond,
            "Encoded columns were added to X",
            "Encoded columns were added to X"
        )

    def test_original_columns_dropped(self):
        uc = self.user_code
        cond = ('island' not in uc.X.columns) and ('sex' not in uc.X.columns)
        _dynamic_test(
            self,
            cond,
            "Original categorical columns were dropped",
            "Original categorical columns were dropped"
        )

    def test_y_encoded(self):
        uc = self.user_code
        y_arr = np.asarray(uc.y)
        is_integer_dtype = np.issubdtype(y_arr.dtype, np.integer)
        le_fitted = hasattr(getattr(uc, 'label_enc', object()), 'classes_')
        cond = (y_arr.ndim == 1) and is_integer_dtype and le_fitted
        _dynamic_test(
            self,
            cond,
            "Target y must be encoded into integers using LabelEncoder",
            "Target y must be encoded into integers using LabelEncoder"
        )

if __name__ == "__main__":
    unittest.main()


test_code.py

Machine learning is now used everywhere. Want to learn it yourself? This course is an introduction to the world of Machine learning for you to learn basic concepts, work with Scikit-learn – the most popular library for ML and build your first Machine Learning project.
This course is intended for students with a basic knowledge of Python, Pandas, and Numpy.

Learn the Machine Learning concepts and the ML project workflow.

Preprocessing is probably the most important stage of an ML project. This chapter covers the preprocessing steps needed for almost any dataset.

A pipeline is a neat way to combine all the preprocessing steps as well as a model. Pipelines make it much easier to train and use a model.

Modeling is the most fun stage of an ML project. Let's learn to build, fine-tune and evaluate the model!

Challenge: Encoding Categorical Variables

Solution