Optimising Python
28th October 2003
Some great tips for optimising Python, courtesy of Ian Bicking:
- Kata 19: an optimization anecdote demonstrates some neat techniques including use of the gc module to fine tune garbage collection.
- Python Patterns—An Optimization Anecdote mainly uses functional programming techniques and the array module.
- An Optimization Anecdote from Fredrik Lundh teaches us that the more time is spent by Python in pure C routines, the faster code will run (note that this does not necessarily imply rewriting Python code in C).
- Python Performance Tips from 1996, most of which look like they are still valid.
- Python optimization tips, which seem to be a bit more up to date.
More recent articles
- Hello Python 3.15, goodbye 3.10, and now I can use 3.11 - 12th October 2026
- A new feature for my blog, built using my voice - 9th October 2026
- Claude Haiku 5.5 - 7th October 2026
- We're going to need default hard budget caps on pretty much everything - 3rd October 2026