Module 4 of 8

C Extensions & Performance

Write high-performance extensions with the C API, Cython, pybind11, and nanobind; manage the GIL, memory, and ABI compatibility.

4 lessons

~28 hours

180 XP

Create extension types with PyTypeObject, manage reference counts, define methods/slots, and build a minimal C extension module.

Annotate Python with type declarations, compile to C, release the GIL for numerical loops, and interface with C/C++ libraries.

Expose C++ classes/functions to Python with pybind11, use nanobind for smaller binaries, and handle STL containers, eigenvalues, and custom casters.

Target the stable ABI (PEP 384), build manylinux wheels with cibuildwheel, and manage versioning for C extension packages.