Pythoc Alternative Cython. Cython has been the most viable option for converting Python code to C, but PythoC could change that—with distinct compile-time advantages.
es. We also have a first look at Databot, a new LLM add-on for the Positron IDE; a chance to learn the finer points of debug logging in Python and Java; and a report on Django developers’ use of AI coding tools, which appears to be on the rise. All that and more, in this week’s report.
PythoC: An alternative to Cython
PythoC is a new tool that allows developers to generate C code from Python code. Unlike Cython, which converts Python code to C, PythoC uses Python as a code generation tool to create standalone C-style programs with powerful compile-time features. This makes it an attractive alternative for developers who want to take advantage of the performance benefits of C code without the overhead of Cython.
Other top picks for Python readers
Databot: AI-assisted data analysis in R or Python. Databot is a new add-on for the Positron IDE (for developing Python and R data science apps) that analyzes imported data, offers suggestions for how to analyze it, and can even generate the needed code for those analyses.
Advanced debug logging techniques. Get fast pointers for making the best use of debug logging in Python and Java.
More good reads and Python updates elsewhere
PyCharm 2025.3 is out. The latest edition of JetBrains’ flagship Python IDE offers remote Jupyter notebooks, uses uv as the default package and project manager, adds Ruff and Pyright for linting and language services, and much more.
PyAtlas: Explore 10K popular Python packages on an interactive map. Curious about what’s out there in the galaxy of Python packages? PyAtlas is a visual tool that clusters common packages together, letting you explore them by topic (testing, async, static analysis, etc.) and similarity.
Tacopy: Tail-Call optimization for Python. They said it wasn’t possible to make tail-call optimizations for faster recursive operations in Python. Well, this project makes the impossible possible, by way of some fiendishly clever AST transformation hackery.
Legacy downloads. Can’t find a legacy download for Windows, Office, Visual Studio, or another Microsoft product? The very unofficial Microsoft Download Center Archive keeps backup copies of hundreds of service packs, redistributable runtimes, and toolkits no longer maintained by the folks in Redmond.
Whether you are a seasoned developer or just starting out with Python, there are always new tools and techniques to learn that can help you take your coding skills to the next level. By exploring the options outlined above, you can learn how to use Python more efficiently and effectively, which can lead to significant gains in productivity and innovation.
Read more about PythoC and its capabilities in the PythoC alternative to Cython source article.
