[Python-Dev] Using Cython for standard library? (original) (raw)

Christian Heimes lists at cheimes.de
Wed Nov 5 15:55:09 CET 2008

Martin v. Löwis wrote:

Ah, that changes my view of it significantly. If the authors want to contribute it to Python some day, I'm looking forward to that (assuming that they then close their official branch, and make the version inside Python the maintained one).

That is also independent of whether standard library modules get written in Cython. I would expect that some may (in particular, if they focus on wrapping an external library), whereas others might stay what they are (in particular, when they are in the real core of the interpreter). I would personally prefer a Cython integration over a ctypes one, for the standard library (and supported inclusion of ctypes into Python regardless).

I agree from the bottom of my heart. In the past I've used Pyrex Cython for wrapping libraries and small snippets of C speedup with great success. The learning curve is smooth and experiments show quick success.

Once Cython's development has slowed down and stabilized I like to see its usage for non-critical extension modules. Cython should make it easier to write wrappers for libraries or the IO performance improvement module, Amaury is working on. However I wouldn't want to use it for anything critical to the core of Python. I like to keep that C code of the core as readable as possible.

Christian

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