Diana Gastrin

Python: Behind the Scenes

Python secretly caches integers from -5 to 256. This is just one of the internal optimizations that explains its most surprising behaviors.

Python: Behind the Scenes
#1about 5 minutes

Understanding the core attributes of Python objects

Every object in Python is defined by its value, ID, and type, with mutable objects like lists differing from immutable ones like tuples.

#2about 2 minutes

Exploring Python's dynamic and duck typing model

Python uses dynamic typing, where a variable is a pointer to an object, allowing for flexible 'duck typing' based on method availability rather than inheritance.

#3about 6 minutes

Navigating variable scopes with global and nonlocal

Python resolves variables using the LEGB rule (Local, Enclosing, Global, Built-in), and the `global` and `nonlocal` keywords are used to modify variables in outer scopes.

#4about 2 minutes

How Python simulates private methods using name mangling

Python doesn't have true private methods, but it uses name mangling on methods prefixed with a double underscore to discourage direct access from outside the class.

#5about 3 minutes

Understanding boolean logic and short-circuit evaluation

The `and` and `or` operators use short-circuit evaluation, stopping as soon as the outcome is known and returning the actual object that determined the result.

#6about 5 minutes

Exploring comparison operators and Python's caching behavior

The `is` operator checks for object identity, revealing Python's internal caching of small integers and simple strings for performance optimization.

#7about 1 minute

Audience Q&A on slots, globals, and private properties

The speaker answers audience questions regarding the relevance of `__slots__` in modern Python and the best practices for using `global` and `nonlocal` keywords.

Related jobs
Jobs that call for the skills explored in this talk.

Machine Learning Engineer

Picnic Technologies B.V.

Picnic Technologies B.V.
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Intermediate
Senior
Python
Structured Query Language (SQL)
+1

Matching moments

The history and philosophy of the Python language
00:17 MIN

The history and philosophy of the Python language

Python Data Visualization @ Deepnote (w/ PyViz overview)

Adopting a philosophy of configuration without configuration files
06:33 MIN

Adopting a philosophy of configuration without configuration files

Automagic Configuration in Python

Exploring the versatility of Python across different domains
09:10 MIN

Exploring the versatility of Python across different domains

Debugging Schrödinger's App

Q&A on garbage collection performance and common pitfalls
32:07 MIN

Q&A on garbage collection performance and common pitfalls

Pointers? In My Python? It's More Likely Than You Think

How a CIO stays technically sharp and hands-on
38:02 MIN

How a CIO stays technically sharp and hands-on

Coffee with Developers

Key use cases for Python streaming frameworks
05:39 MIN

Key use cases for Python streaming frameworks

Convert batch code into streaming with Python

Why Python became the dominant language for AI
08:31 MIN

Why Python became the dominant language for AI

Coffee with Developers - Stephen Jones - NVIDIA

How Python's global interpreter lock affects multithreading
18:24 MIN

How Python's global interpreter lock affects multithreading

Concurrency in Python

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