Python Bytecode
Python bytecode is the intermediate representation of Python source code, generated by the CPython interpreter during compilation. It consists of low-level instructions that are executed by the Python Virtual Machine (PVM), enabling platform-independent execution. Understanding bytecode helps developers optimize performance, debug complex issues, and gain deeper insights into Python's internal workings.
Developers should learn Python bytecode when working on performance-critical applications, debugging subtle runtime errors, or implementing custom interpreters or compilers. It is essential for tasks like profiling code to identify bottlenecks, writing efficient Python extensions in C, or analyzing security vulnerabilities in Python code, as it reveals how high-level constructs translate to machine operations.