2023 can have been the 12 months of the LLM—we highlighted our hottest articles on ChatGPT and related topics last week—but data science and machine learning are far too vast for us to scale back them to a single phenomenon (as inescapable because it is likely to be).

Day by day, TDS authors publish excellent work on a staggering range of topics, from the most recent tools of the trade to profession insights and project walkthroughs. For our final Variable edition of the 12 months, we decided to spotlight among the most memorable and widely read posts we’ve shared around three themes: programming for data scientists, profession growth, and and inventive projects and opinion pieces. They do a incredible job showing just how vibrant, diverse, and dynamic this field—and our community—is.

We hope you enjoy our selection, and thanks once more for all of your support over the past 12 months.