Increase Python performance instantly by ~30%
Tags: python, runtime, pyston, performance
Published: 2023-04-17 07:30:43

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Python has long been praised for its readability, simplicity, and versatility, making it the go-to language for a wide range of applications. However, it can be slow compared to other languages like C++ and Java.  
Meet **Pyston** - a high-performance, open-source Python interpreter designed to significantly boost the language's runtime speed. In this blog post, we'll explore what Pyston is, its underlying technology, and how it can give your Python code a much-needed speed increase.

## What is Pyston?

Pyston is an alternative Python interpreter that focuses on optimizing the performance of Python programs. Originally developed by Dropbox, Pyston has evolved into a community-driven open-source project. Pyston is compatible with the popular CPython implementation, which means you can expect your existing Python code to work seamlessly with Pyston.

## Pyston's Secret Sauce: JIT Compilation

The remarkable performance improvements offered by Pyston can be attributed to its use of Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation. Unlike CPython, which interprets Python code line-by-line, Pyston's JIT compilation enables the conversion of Python code into machine code during runtime. This reduction in interpretation overhead leads to considerable speed enhancements.

Other techniques used by Pyston to improve the runtime speed:
- Dynamic optimization: Pyston performs dynamic optimizations on Python bytecode, such as inlining functions and eliminating dead code.
- Memory management: Pyston uses a custom memory manager that is designed to improve performance.


## Performance Gains

Pyston has been shown to significantly improve the performance of Python code. In some cases, Pyston can be up to 40% faster than the standard Python interpreter. This can make a big difference in the performance of Python applications, especially those that are CPU-intensive. 
Pyston's performance gains vary depending on the specific use case and the code being executed. However, it's not uncommon to see speed improvements of 2x or more when compared to CPython. This makes Pyston an attractive option for developers who want to write high-performance Python code without sacrificing the language's simplicity and elegance.

## Getting Started with Pyston

Pyston is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows systems. To get started, you can follow the installation instructions on the Pyston GitHub repository (https://github.com/pyston/pyston). Once you've installed Pyston, you can start using it by simply invoking the `pyston` command instead of 'python' in your terminal or command prompt.

## Conclusion

Pyston brings a significant speed boost to Python, making it an exciting development in the world of programming. By utilizing JIT compilation and other performance-enhancing techniques, Pyston allows developers to build faster, more efficient applications without sacrificing the simplicity and readability of Python code. If you're looking to give your Python projects a performance upgrade, consider giving Pyston a try.