codon/docs/interop/python.md

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Calling Python from Codon is possible in two ways:
- `from python import` allows importing and calling Python functions
from existing Python modules.
- `@python` allows writing Python code directly in Codon.
In order to use these features, the `CODON_PYTHON` environment variable
must be set to the appropriate Python shared library:
``` bash
export CODON_PYTHON=/path/to/libpython.X.Y.so
```
For example, with a `brew`-installed Python 3.9 on macOS, this might be
``` bash
/usr/local/opt/python@3.9/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.9/lib/libpython3.9.dylib
```
Note that only Python versions 3.6 and later are supported.
# `from python import`
Let\'s say we have a Python function defined in *mymodule.py*:
``` python
def multiply(a, b):
return a * b
```
We can call this function in Codon using `from python import` and
indicating the appropriate call and return types:
``` python
from python import mymodule.multiply(int, int) -> int
print(multiply(3, 4)) # 12
```
(Be sure the `PYTHONPATH` environment variable includes the path of
*mymodule.py*!)
`from python import` does not need to specify explicit types, in which case
Codon will operate directly on the Python objects, and convert Codon types
to Python types as necessary:
``` python
from python import numpy as np # Codon will call NumPy through CPython's API
x = np.array([1, 2, 3, 4]) * 10
print(x) # [10 20 30 40]
```
# `@python`
Codon programs can contain functions that will be executed by Python via
`pydef`:
``` python
@python
def multiply(a: int, b: int) -> int:
return a * b
print(multiply(3, 4)) # 12
```
This makes calling Python modules like NumPy very easy:
``` python
@python
def myrange(n: int) -> List[int]:
from numpy import arange
return list(arange(n))
print(myrange(5)) # [0, 1, 2, 3, 4]
```
# Data conversions
Codon uses two new magic methods to transfer data to and from Python:
- `__to_py__`: Produces a Python object (`PyObject*` in C) given a Codon object.
- `__from_py__`: Produces a Codon object given a Python object.
``` python
import python # needed to initialize the Python runtime
o = (42).__to_py__() # type of 'o' is 'cobj', equivalent to a pointer in C
print(o) # 0x100e00610
n = int.__from_py__(o)
print(n) # 42
```
Codon stores the results of `__to_py__` calls by wrapping them in an instance of
a new class called `pyobj`, which correctly handles the underlying Python object's
reference count. All operations on `pyobj`s then go through CPython's API.