Key Differences Between .py and .pyc Files
Feature | .py Files | .pyc Files |
|---|---|---|
Content | Contains Python source code | Contains compiled Python bytecode. |
Human-readable | Yes | No |
Editability | Can be edited with any text editor or IDE | Not meant to be edited |
Generation | Created manually by the programmer | Automatically generated by the Python interpreter when a .py file is run |
Execution | Must be compiled to bytecode by the Python interpreter before execution | Directly executable by the Python virtual machine |
Purpose | For writing and editing Python code | For faster execution and to save bytecode |
Why Are Both .py and .pyc Files Important?
Understanding the roles of both .py and .pyc files is important for several reasons:
- Performance: The use of .pyc files improves the performance of Python programs by reducing the time needed for code compilation during program startup.
- Distribution: When distributing Python applications, it’s common to include .pyc files to ensure faster execution on the user’s machine.
- Debugging: While developing and debugging, working with .py files is essential since they contain the human-readable source code. However, being aware of .pyc files helps in understanding how Python manages execution.
What Is The Difference Between .Py And .Pyc Files?
When working with Python, you might have come across different file extensions like .py and .pyc. Understanding the differences between these two types of files is essential for efficient Python programming and debugging. ‘.py‘ files contain human-readable source code written by developers, while ‘.pyc’ files are compiled bytecode generated by the Python interpreter to speed up module loading. In this article, we will explore what .py and .pyc files are, their purposes, and the key differences between them.