[Python-Dev] Interest in integrating C decimal module into Python? (original) (raw)

Paul Moore p.f.moore at gmail.com
Tue Oct 20 23:00:12 CEST 2009

2009/10/20 Stefan Krah <stefan-usenet at bytereef.org>:

Hi,

as some of you know, recently I've released an arbitrary precision C library for decimal arithmetic together with a Python module: http://www.bytereef.org/libmpdec.html http://www.bytereef.org/fastdec.html

Both the library and the module have been tested extensively. Fastdec currently differs from decimal.py in a couple of ways that could be fixed. The license is AGPL, but if there is interest in integrating it into Python I'd release it under a Python-compatible license. There have been several approaches towards getting C decimal arithmetic into Python: http://bugs.python.org/issue2486 Fastdec follows Raymond Hettinger's suggestion to provide wrappers for an independent C implementation. Arguments in favour of fastdec are:  * Complete implementation of Mike Cowlishaw's specification  * C library can be tested independently  * Redundant arithmetic module for tests against decimal.py  * Faster than Java BigDecimal  * Compares relatively well in speed against gmpy To be clear, I would not want to replace decimal.py. Rather I'd like to see a cdecimal module alongside decimal.py.

Why? If it's 100% compatible with decimal.py, just replace it. All the user should see is improved speed. Let's not do another pickle/cpickle.

I know that ultimately there should be a PEP for module inclusions. The purpose of this post is to gauge interest. Specifically:

1. Are you generally in favour of a C decimal module in Python?

Yes, although I have to admit my interest is fairly theoretical.

2. Would fastdec - after achieving full decimal.py compatibility - be a serious candidate?

I don't see why not, if it was 100% compatible with decimal.py

3. Could I use this list to settle a couple of questions, or would perhaps a Python developer be willing to work with me to make it compatible? I'm asking this to avoid doing work that would not find acceptance afterwards.

I can't help much here, but I'd prefer to see discussions on python-dev so I'm +1 on keeping discussions here.

Waiting eagerly to hear the experts' comments...

Paul.

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