Exploring CPython's bytecode
summary
Shows how to read a .pyc header and do a magic number check, parse a code object’s constants, names and bytecode, and then trace the actual opcodes byte by byte. Builds a tiny frame-based executor that implements LOAD_FAST / STORE_FAST, MAKE_FUNCTION/CALL_FUNCTION and basic comparisons and jumps, demonstrating function creation, argument handling and call/return behavior. Explains the postcompile step that converts assigned names into fast locals rather than globals.
AI-written summary · about
chapters (9)
- 0:00CPython bytecode intro
- 8:51Bytecode file format
- 15:12Code objects structure
- 22:12Loading variables & calls
- 31:16Simple ops & operators
- 35:42Compilation steps
- 41:20Power function args
- 46:25Coverage & bytecode mod
- 47:34Q&A special methods
related talks
32mBytecode and .pyc files
30mA Bit about Bytes: Understanding Python Bytecode
01h 21mExploring Python Code Objects
22mLow Level Python a Deep dive into the python sources
31mUnderstanding Python from the inside: C concepts to dive into CPython fearless
34mCPython internals and the VM
24mThe AST and Me
27mPython: From Source to Execution