Ognen Duzlevski wrote: > I am curious, does this make a difference speed wise (aside > from loading time)? The python tutorial would seem to imply > that it does not: > > >From Python-Docs-2.4.2/tut/node8.html#SECTION008120000000000000000 > > "A program doesn't run any faster when it is read from a .pyc > or .pyo file than when it is read from a .py file; the only thing > that's faster about .pyc or .pyo files is the speed with which > they are loaded."
if Python decides that the PYC (or PYO) file can be used, it does the following create module load module code execute module code in module context if it decides to use the source instead, it does: create module compile module source into module code save module code to PYC (or PYO) file, if possible execute module code in module context so if "loading time" covers the "compiling and saving" time, it's a wash. even if you don't include compilation in load time, the difference is still marginal, at least for moderately-sized modules. </F> -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list