Run Your Python Code up to 80x Faster Using the Cython Library

glorious language for fast prototyping and code improvement, however one factor I usually hear folks say about utilizing it’s that it’s gradual to execute. It is a explicit ache level for knowledge scientists and ML engineers, as they usually carry out computationally intensive operations, akin to matrix multiplication, gradient descent calculations or picture processing.

Over time, Python has advanced internally to handle a few of these points by introducing new options to the language, akin to multi-threading or rewriting current performance for improved efficiency. Nonetheless, Python’s use of the International Interpreter Lock (GIL) usually hamstrung efforts like this. 

Many exterior libraries have additionally been written to bridge this perceived efficiency hole between Python and compiled languages akin to Java. Maybe essentially the most used and well-known of those is the NumPy library. Carried out within the C language, NumPy was designed from the bottom as much as help a number of CPU cores and super-fast numerical and array processing.

There are alternate options to NumPy, and in a current TDS article, I launched the numexpr library, which, in lots of use instances, may even outperform NumPy. Should you’re all in favour of studying extra, I’ll embrace a hyperlink to that story on the finish of this text.

One other exterior library that may be very efficient is Numba. Numba utilises a Simply-in-Time (JIT) compiler for Python, which interprets a subset of Python and NumPy code into quick machine code at runtime. It’s designed to speed up numerical and scientific computing duties by leveraging LLVM (Low-Stage Digital Machine) compiler infrastructure. 

On this article, I want to focus on one other runtime-enhancing exterior library, Cython. It’s one of the vital performant Python libraries but in addition one of many least understood and used. I feel that is at the very least partially as a result of you must get your fingers a little bit bit soiled and make some adjustments to your authentic code. However for those who observe the easy four-step plan I’ll define under, the efficiency advantages you may obtain will make it greater than worthwhile.

What’s Cython?

Should you haven’t heard of Cython, it’s a superset of Python designed to offer C-like efficiency with code written primarily in Python. It permits for changing Python code into C code, which may then be compiled into shared libraries that may be imported into Python identical to common Python modules. This course of leads to the efficiency advantages of C whereas sustaining the readability of Python. 

I’ll showcase the precise advantages you may obtain by changing your code to make use of Cython, inspecting three use instances and offering the 4 steps required to transform your current Python code, together with comparative timings for every run.

Establishing a improvement surroundings

Earlier than persevering with, we should always arrange a separate improvement surroundings for coding to maintain our venture dependencies separate. I’ll be utilizing WSL2 Ubuntu for Home windows and a Jupyter Pocket book for code improvement. I exploit the UV bundle supervisor to arrange my improvement surroundings, however be at liberty to make use of no matter instruments and strategies swimsuit you.

$ uv init cython-test
$ cd cython-test
$ uv venv
$ supply .venv/bin/activate
(cython-test) $ uv pip set up cython jupyter numpy pillow matplotlib

Now, kind ‘jupyter pocket book’ into your command immediate. It is best to see a pocket book open in your browser. If that doesn’t occur routinely, what you’ll possible see is a screenful of knowledge after operating the Jupyter Pocket book command. Close to the underside of that, there shall be a URL you need to copy and paste into your browser to provoke the Jupyter Pocket book.
Your URL shall be totally different to mine, but it surely ought to look one thing like this:-

http://127.0.0.1:8888/tree?token=3b9f7bd07b6966b41b68e2350721b2d0b6f388d248cc69d

Instance 1 – Dashing up for loops

Earlier than we begin utilizing Cython, let’s start with a daily Python operate and time how lengthy it takes to run. This shall be our base benchmark.

We’ll code a easy double-for-loop operate that takes a number of seconds to run, then use Cython to hurry it up and measure the variations in runtime between the 2 strategies.

Right here is our baseline normal Python code.

# sum_of_squares.py
import timeit

# Outline the usual Python operate
def slow_sum_of_squares(n):
    whole = 0
    for i in vary(n):
        for j in vary(n):
            whole += i * i + j * j
    return whole

# Benchmark the Python operate
print("Python operate execution time:")
print("timeit:", timeit.timeit(
        lambda: slow_sum_of_squares(20000),
        quantity=1))

On my system, the above code produces the next output.

Python operate execution time:
13.135973724005453

Let’s see how a lot of an enchancment Cython makes of it.

The four-step plan for efficient Cython use.

Utilizing Cython to spice up your code run-time in a Jupyter Pocket book is an easy 4-step course of.

Don’t fear for those who’re not a Pocket book consumer, as I’ll present how you can convert common Python .py information to make use of Cython afterward.

1/ Within the first cell of your pocket book, load the Cython extension by typing this command.

%load_ext Cython

2/ For any subsequent cells that comprise Python code that you just want to run utilizing cython, add the %%cython magic command earlier than the code. For instance,

%%cython
def myfunction():
    and so forth ...
        ...

3/ Operate definitions that comprise parameters should be accurately typed.

4/ Lastly, all variables should be typed appropriately by utilizing the cdef directive. Additionally, the place it is sensible, use capabilities from the usual C library (obtainable in Cython utilizing the from libc.stdlib directive).

Taking our authentic Python code for example, that is what it must appear to be to be able to run in a pocket book utilizing cython after making use of all 4 steps above.

%%cython
def fast_sum_of_squares(int n):
    cdef int whole = 0
    cdef int i, j
    for i in vary(n):
        for j in vary(n):
            whole += i * i + j * j
    return whole

import timeit
print("Cython operate execution time:")
print("timeit:", timeit.timeit(
        lambda: fast_sum_of_squares(20000),
        quantity=1))

As I hope you may see, the truth of changing your code is far simpler than the 4 procedural steps required would possibly recommend.

The runtime of the above code was spectacular. On my system, this new cython code produces the next output.

Cython operate execution time:
0.15829777799808653

That’s an over 80x speed-up.

Instance 2 — Calculate pi utilizing Monte Carlo 

For our second instance, we’ll study a extra complicated use case, the inspiration of which has quite a few real-world purposes.

An space the place Cython can present important efficiency enchancment is in numerical simulations, notably these involving heavy computation, akin to Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Monte Carlo simulations contain operating many iterations of a random course of to estimate the properties of a system. MC applies to all kinds of examine fields, together with local weather and atmospheric science, laptop graphics, AI search and quantitative finance. It’s nearly at all times a really computationally intensive course of.

For instance, we’ll use Monte Carlo in a simplified method to calculate the worth of Pi. It is a well-known instance the place we take a sq. with a aspect size of 1 unit and inscribe 1 / 4 circle inside it with a radius of 1 unit, as proven right here.

The ratio of the world of the quarter circle to the world of the sq. is, clearly, (Pi/4). 

So, if we contemplate many random (x,y) factors that each one lie inside or on the bounds of the sq., as the entire variety of these factors tends to infinity, the ratio of factors that lie on or contained in the quarter circle to the entire variety of factors tends in direction of Pi /4. We then multiply this worth by 4 to acquire the worth of Pi itself.

Right here is a few typical Python code you would possibly use to mannequin this.

import random
import time

def monte_carlo_pi(num_samples):
    inside_circle = 0
    for _ in vary(num_samples):
        x = random.uniform(0, 1)
        y = random.uniform(0, 1)
        if (x**2) + (y**2) <= 1:  
            inside_circle += 1
    return (inside_circle / num_samples) * 4

# Benchmark the usual Python operate
num_samples = 100000000

start_time = time.time()
pi_estimate = monte_carlo_pi(num_samples)
end_time = time.time()

print(f"Estimated Pi (Python): {pi_estimate}")
print(f"Execution Time (Python): {end_time - start_time} seconds")

Working this produced the next timing outcome.

Estimated Pi (Python): 3.14197216
Execution Time (Python): 20.67279839515686 seconds

Now, right here is the Cython implementation we get by following our four-step course of.

%%cython
import cython
import random
from libc.stdlib cimport rand, RAND_MAX

@cython.boundscheck(False)
@cython.wraparound(False)
def monte_carlo_pi(int num_samples):
    cdef int inside_circle = 0
    cdef int i
    cdef double x, y
    
    for i in vary(num_samples):
        x = rand() / <double>RAND_MAX
        y = rand() / <double>RAND_MAX
        if (x**2) + (y**2) <= 1:
            inside_circle += 1
            
    return (inside_circle / num_samples) * 4

import time

num_samples = 100000000

# Benchmark the Cython operate
start_time = time.time()
pi_estimate = monte_carlo_pi(num_samples)
end_time = time.time()

print(f"Estimated Pi (Cython): {pi_estimate}")
print(f"Execution Time (Cython): {end_time - start_time} seconds")

And right here is the brand new output.

Estimated Pi (Cython): 3.1415012
Execution Time (Cython): 1.9987852573394775 seconds

As soon as once more, that’s a fairly spectacular 10x speed-up for the Cython model.

One factor we did on this code instance that we didn’t within the different is import some exterior libraries from the C normal library. That was the road,

from libc.stdlib cimport rand, RAND_MAX

The cimport command is a Cython key phrase used to import C capabilities, variables, constants, and kinds. We used it to import optimised C language variations of the equal random.uniform() Python capabilities.

Instance 3— picture manipulation

For our ultimate instance, we’ll do some picture manipulation. Particularly, some picture convolution, which is a standard operation in picture processing. There are lots of use instances for picture convolution. We’re going to make use of it to attempt to sharpen the marginally blurry picture proven under.

First, right here is the common Python code.

from PIL import Picture
import numpy as np
from scipy.sign import convolve2d
import time
import os
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

def sharpen_image_color(picture):

    # Begin timing
    start_time = time.time()
    
    # Convert picture to RGB in case it is not already
    picture = picture.convert('RGB')
    
    # Outline a sharpening kernel
    kernel = np.array([[0, -1, 0],
                       [-1, 5, -1],
                       [0, -1, 0]])
    
    # Convert picture to numpy array
    image_array = np.array(picture)
    
    # Debugging: Verify enter values
    print("Enter array values: Min =", image_array.min(), "Max =", image_array.max())
    
    # Put together an empty array for the sharpened picture
    sharpened_array = np.zeros_like(image_array)
    
    # Apply the convolution kernel to every channel (assuming RGB picture)
    for i in vary(3):
        channel = image_array[:, :, i]
        # Carry out convolution
        convolved_channel = convolve2d(channel, kernel, mode='identical', boundary='wrap')
        
        # Clip values to be within the vary [0, 255]
        convolved_channel = np.clip(convolved_channel, 0, 255)
        
        # Retailer again within the sharpened array
        sharpened_array[:, :, i] = convolved_channel.astype(np.uint8)
    
    # Debugging: Verify output values
    print("Sharpened array values: Min =", sharpened_array.min(), "Max =", sharpened_array.max())
    
    # Convert array again to picture
    sharpened_image = Picture.fromarray(sharpened_array)
    
    # Finish timing
    period = time.time() - start_time
    print(f"Processing time: {period:.4f} seconds")
    
    return sharpened_image

# Right path for WSL2 accessing Home windows filesystem
image_path = '/mnt/d/photos/taj_mahal.png'

picture = Picture.open(image_path)

# Sharpen the picture
sharpened_image = sharpen_image_color(picture)

if sharpened_image:
    # Present utilizing PIL's built-in present technique (for debugging)
    #sharpened_image.present(title="Sharpened Picture (PIL Present)")

    # Show the unique and sharpened photos utilizing Matplotlib
    fig, axs = plt.subplots(1, 2, figsize=(15, 7))

    # Unique picture
    axs[0].imshow(picture)
    axs[0].set_title("Unique Picture")
    axs[0].axis('off')

    # Sharpened picture
    axs[1].imshow(sharpened_image)
    axs[1].set_title("Sharpened Picture")
    axs[1].axis('off')

    # Present each photos aspect by aspect
    plt.present()
else:
    print("Didn't generate sharpened picture.")

The output is that this.

Enter array values: Min = 0 Max = 255
Sharpened array values: Min = 0 Max = 255
Processing time: 0.1034 seconds

Let’s see if Cython can beat that run time of 0.1034 seconds.

%%cython
# cython: language_level=3
# distutils: define_macros=NPY_NO_DEPRECATED_API=NPY_1_7_API_VERSION

import numpy as np
cimport numpy as np
import cython

@cython.boundscheck(False)
@cython.wraparound(False)
def sharpen_image_cython(np.ndarray[np.uint8_t, ndim=3] image_array):
    # Outline sharpening kernel
    cdef int kernel[3][3]
    kernel[0][0] = 0
    kernel[0][1] = -1
    kernel[0][2] = 0
    kernel[1][0] = -1
    kernel[1][1] = 5
    kernel[1][2] = -1
    kernel[2][0] = 0
    kernel[2][1] = -1
    kernel[2][2] = 0
    
    # Declare variables exterior of loops
    cdef int top = image_array.form[0]
    cdef int width = image_array.form[1]
    cdef int channel, i, j, ki, kj
    cdef int worth
    
    # Put together an empty array for the sharpened picture
    cdef np.ndarray[np.uint8_t, ndim=3] sharpened_array = np.zeros_like(image_array)

    # Convolve every channel individually
    for channel in vary(3):  # Iterate over RGB channels
        for i in vary(1, top - 1):
            for j in vary(1, width - 1):
                worth = 0  # Reset worth at every pixel
                # Apply the kernel
                for ki in vary(-1, 2):
                    for kj in vary(-1, 2):
                        worth += kernel[ki + 1][kj + 1] * image_array[i + ki, j + kj, channel]
                # Clip values to be between 0 and 255
                sharpened_array[i, j, channel] = min(max(worth, 0), 255)

    return sharpened_array

# Python a part of the code
from PIL import Picture
import numpy as np
import time as py_time  # Renaming the Python time module to keep away from battle
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Load the enter picture
image_path = '/mnt/d/photos/taj_mahal.png'
picture = Picture.open(image_path).convert('RGB')

# Convert the picture to a NumPy array
image_array = np.array(picture)

# Time the sharpening with Cython
start_time = py_time.time()
sharpened_array = sharpen_image_cython(image_array)
cython_time = py_time.time() - start_time

# Convert again to a picture for displaying
sharpened_image = Picture.fromarray(sharpened_array)

# Show the unique and sharpened picture
plt.determine(figsize=(12, 6))
plt.subplot(1, 2, 1)
plt.imshow(picture)
plt.title("Unique Picture")

plt.subplot(1, 2, 2)
plt.imshow(sharpened_image)
plt.title("Sharpened Picture")

plt.present()

# Print the time taken for Cython processing
print(f"Processing time with Cython: {cython_time:.4f} seconds")

The output is,

Each packages carried out effectively, however Cython was almost 25 instances quicker.

What about operating Cython exterior a Pocket book surroundings?

To this point, every part I’ve proven you assumes you’re operating your code inside a Jupyter Pocket book. The explanation I did that is that it’s the simplest technique to introduce Cython and get some code up and operating rapidly. Whereas the Pocket book surroundings is extraordinarily common amongst Python builders, an enormous quantity of Python code remains to be contained in common .py information and run from a terminal utilizing the Python command.

If that’s your main mode of coding and operating Python scripts, the %load_ext and %%cython IPython magic instructions received’t work since these are solely understood by Jupyter/IPython.

So, right here’s how you can adapt my four-step Cython conversion course of for those who’re operating your code as a daily Python script.

Let’s take my first sum_of_squares instance to showcase this.

1/ Create a .pyx file as a substitute of utilizing %%cython

Transfer your Cython-enhanced code right into a file named, for instance:-

sum_of_squares.pyx

# sun_of_squares.pyx
def fast_sum_of_squares(int n):
    cdef int whole = 0
    cdef int i, j
    for i in vary(n):
        for j in vary(n):
            whole += i * i + j * j
    return whole

All we did was take away the %%cython directive and the timing code (which is able to now be within the calling operate)

2/ Create a setup.py file to compile your .pyx file

# setup.py
from setuptools import setup
from Cython.Construct import cythonize

setup(
    identify="cython-test",
    ext_modules=cythonize("sum_of_squares.pyx", language_level=3),
    py_modules=["sum_of_squares"],  # Explicitly state the module
    zip_safe=False,
)

3/ Run the setup.py file utilizing this command,

$ python setup.py build_ext --inplace
operating build_ext
copying construct/lib.linux-x86_64-cpython-311/sum_of_squares.cpython-311-x86_64-linux-g

4/ Create a daily Python module to name our Cython code, as proven under, after which run it.

# major.py
import time, timeit
from sum_of_squares import fast_sum_of_squares

begin = time.time()
outcome = fast_sum_of_squares(20000)

print("timeit:", timeit.timeit(
        lambda: fast_sum_of_squares(20000),
        quantity=1))

$ python major.py

timeit: 0.14675087109208107

Abstract

Hopefully, I’ve satisfied you of the efficacy of utilizing the Cython library in your code. Though it might sound a bit difficult at first sight, with a little bit effort, you may get unbelievable efficiency enhancements to your run instances over utilizing common Python, even when utilizing quick numerical libraries akin to NumPy. 

I offered a four-step course of to transform your common Python code to make use of Cython for operating inside Jupyter Pocket book environments. Moreover, I defined the steps required to run Cython code from the command line exterior a Pocket book surroundings.

Lastly, I bolstered the above by showcasing examples of changing common Python code to make use of Cython.

Within the three examples I confirmed, we achieved features of 80x, 10x and 25x speed-ups, which isn’t too shabby in any respect.

As promised, here’s a link to my earlier TDS article on utilising the numexpr library to speed up Python code.