Compilation: Turning Code into Bytecode
When you write Python code, you create human-readable source code. However, Python does not execute your source code directly. Instead, it transforms your code into bytecode. Bytecode is a set of instructions that is more abstract than machine code but much simpler than source code. Python uses bytecode because it is platform-independent and can be executed efficiently by the interpreter on any system with a compatible Python implementation. This separation allows Python to remain cross-platform and makes it easier to optimize or analyze code execution. Unlike source code, which you write and read, bytecode is meant for the interpreter and is not intended to be human-friendly.
1234# Using compile to turn source code into bytecode and inspecting its type source = "a = 10 + 5" code_object = compile(source, "<string>", "exec") print(type(code_object)) # Output: <class 'code'>
The Python Virtual Machine (PVM) is the engine that runs your Python programs. After source code is compiled into bytecode, the PVM reads and executes each bytecode instruction. The PVM acts as an interpreter for bytecode, translating each instruction into operations that your computer understands. This process lets Python remain portable and flexible, since the same bytecode can be executed on any operating system with a compatible PVM. The PVM is responsible for managing execution flow, memory, and all the details required to run your code, making it the core of Python's execution environment.
1234567# Disassembling Python bytecode using the dis module import dis def add_numbers(): return 10 + 5 dis.dis(add_numbers)
1. What is Python bytecode?
2. What is the role of the Python Virtual Machine (PVM)?
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When you write Python code, you create human-readable source code. However, Python does not execute your source code directly. Instead, it transforms your code into bytecode. Bytecode is a set of instructions that is more abstract than machine code but much simpler than source code. Python uses bytecode because it is platform-independent and can be executed efficiently by the interpreter on any system with a compatible Python implementation. This separation allows Python to remain cross-platform and makes it easier to optimize or analyze code execution. Unlike source code, which you write and read, bytecode is meant for the interpreter and is not intended to be human-friendly.
1234# Using compile to turn source code into bytecode and inspecting its type source = "a = 10 + 5" code_object = compile(source, "<string>", "exec") print(type(code_object)) # Output: <class 'code'>
The Python Virtual Machine (PVM) is the engine that runs your Python programs. After source code is compiled into bytecode, the PVM reads and executes each bytecode instruction. The PVM acts as an interpreter for bytecode, translating each instruction into operations that your computer understands. This process lets Python remain portable and flexible, since the same bytecode can be executed on any operating system with a compatible PVM. The PVM is responsible for managing execution flow, memory, and all the details required to run your code, making it the core of Python's execution environment.
1234567# Disassembling Python bytecode using the dis module import dis def add_numbers(): return 10 + 5 dis.dis(add_numbers)
1. What is Python bytecode?
2. What is the role of the Python Virtual Machine (PVM)?
Thanks for your feedback!
