Heuristic:Huggingface Datasets Warning Deprecated Pandas Builder
| Knowledge Sources | |
|---|---|
| Domains | Data_Loading, Deprecation |
| Last Updated | 2026-02-14 19:00 GMT |
Overview
Deprecation warning for the Pandas pickle dataset builder, which emits a FutureWarning and will be removed in the next major version of the datasets library.
Description
The Pandas packaged dataset builder (src/datasets/packaged_modules/pandas/pandas.py) is deprecated. When the builder's _info method is called, it emits a FutureWarning stating that the Pandas builder will be removed in the next major version of datasets. Pickle files are not self-describing, not portable across Python versions, and carry inherent security risks from arbitrary code execution during deserialization.
Usage
This warning applies whenever load_dataset("pandas", ...) is called to load pandas pickle files. Users should migrate to safer, more efficient formats such as Parquet (load_dataset("parquet", ...)), Arrow (load_dataset("arrow", ...)), or JSON (load_dataset("json", ...)).
The Insight (Rule of Thumb)
- Action: Migrate datasets stored as pandas pickle files to Parquet or Arrow IPC format.
- Value: Use
load_dataset("parquet", ...)orload_dataset("arrow", ...)instead ofload_dataset("pandas", ...). - Trade-off: None. Alternative formats are safer, faster, and more portable.
- Timeline: The Pandas builder will be removed in the next major version of the datasets library.
Reasoning
Pickle files carry inherent security risks because deserialization can execute arbitrary code. They are also not self-describing (no schema metadata), not portable across Python versions, and less efficient than columnar formats like Parquet and Arrow. The HuggingFace Datasets library has deprecated this builder in favor of safer, standard formats that provide schema introspection, cross-language compatibility, and better I/O performance.