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Python Virtual Machine Explained

The document outlines the inner workings of Python, detailing the execution flow from source code to bytecode compilation and execution by the Python Virtual Machine (PVM). It explains the role of the CPython interpreter, memory management through garbage collection, and the impact of the Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) on multi-threading. Key takeaways include Python's dual nature of being both compiled and interpreted, emphasizing its flexibility and portability.

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mahi901149
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7 views3 pages

Python Virtual Machine Explained

The document outlines the inner workings of Python, detailing the execution flow from source code to bytecode compilation and execution by the Python Virtual Machine (PVM). It explains the role of the CPython interpreter, memory management through garbage collection, and the impact of the Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) on multi-threading. Key takeaways include Python's dual nature of being both compiled and interpreted, emphasizing its flexibility and portability.

Uploaded by

mahi901149
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

🐍

Python
⚙️ Inner Working of Python
1️⃣ Python Execution Flow
When you run a Python program:

python [Link]

This happens step by step:

1. Source Code ( .py ) → You write human-readable Python code.

2. Bytecode Compilation → Python internally compiles it into bytecode ( .pyc


files).

Stored in __pycache__ folder.

Faster execution next time.

Works only for imported files.

Not for top level files.

3. Python Virtual Machine (PVM) (Runtime Engine) → Bytecode is executed


by the Python interpreter (CPython).

Python 1
4. C Libraries / OS → If needed, Python calls underlying C code and OS-level
functions.

👉 Example: print("Hello") → Python converts to bytecode → PVM → calls C printf()

function under the hood.

2️⃣ Python Interpreter (CPython)


The default Python implementation is CPython, written in C.

It includes:

Parser → Reads & checks syntax.

Compiler → Converts to bytecode.

PVM (Python Virtual Machine) → Executes instructions line by line.

👉 Other implementations:
Jython → Python on JVM.

IronPython → Python on .NET CLR.

PyPy → Python with JIT (much faster).

3️⃣ Memory Management in Python


Python manages memory automatically using Garbage Collection (GC).

Objects are stored in heap memory.

Every object has a reference count.

👉 Example:
a = [1,2,3]
b = a # reference count increases
del a # reference count decreases

When reference count = 0 → Python frees memory.

GC also uses cyclic garbage collector for complex cases (like objects
referring to each other).

Python 2
4️⃣ Python is Interpreted but also Compiled
People say Python is interpreted, but actually:

It is compiled to bytecode first (hidden from you).

Then interpreted by PVM.

This makes Python slower than C/C++ but more flexible & portable.

5️⃣ Global Interpreter Lock (GIL)


In CPython, only one thread executes at a time due to GIL.

Useful for memory safety, but slows down multi-threading.

Solution: Use multiprocessing for parallelism (separate processes).

6️⃣ Example: Inner Flow of Code


x=5
y = 10
print(x + y)

Step by step:

1. Parser → checks syntax ( x=5 , y=10 ).

2. Compiler → converts into bytecode instructions.

3. PVM executes:

Create object 5 in memory, bind to x .

Create object 10 , bind to y .

Perform addition via C functions.

Print result to screen.

🔑 Key Takeaways
Python runs in two steps: Compile → Interpret.

Uses bytecode + PVM.

Python 3

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