Learning Cython Programming

Compiling pure Python code

Another use for Cython is to compile Python code; for example, if we go back to the primes example, we can do the following:

philips-macbook:primes redbrain$ cython pyprimes.py –embed
philips-macbook:primes redbrain$ gcc -g -O2 pyprimes.c -o pyprimes `python-config --includes –libs`

Then, we can compare the three different versions of the same program: the fully Cythoned version, the pure Python version, and the Cython-compiled pure Python version:

philips-macbook:primes redbrain$ time ./primes
real    0m0.050s
user    0m0.035s
sys     0m0.013s

The fully Cython version runs the fastest!

philips-macbook:primes redbrain$ time ./pyprimes
real    0m0.139s
user    0m0.122s
sys     0m0.013s

The compiled pure Python version runs considerably faster ...