[Python-Dev] A bit faster access to module attributes

[Wiktor Sadowski]

>>Have you found any situation where this particular operation was
>>time-critical?

Each time a module's attribute is accessed with:
from module import attr or module.attr
a routine assigned to module tp->getattro is called (through
PyObject_GetAttr, object.c,eval.c).

Is it time-critical? As for small Python applications, no.
However it probably could help in case of monsters like wxPython or Zope.
(improving the applications startup performance as well).

>>I believe (without thinking it through in detail) that the generic
>>getattr/setattr routines are required in order to support subclassing
>>of modules, which people use.

Adding  tp->tp_dict check->PyType_Ready-call  to suggested new
getattr/setattr  routines wouldn't hurt much so subclassing could/will work,
while "regular" modules could still benefit from suggested changes.

>>So I think your suggestion cannot work, and I also think it is
>>unnecessary, so I don't believe it is worth the bother.

It works (tested). I wouldn't bother you otherwise.
Well, all this is doable from a C extension module,
so yes, modifying moduleobject.c is unnecessary.
Sorry for taking your time.

Regards,
Wiktor
http://www.wiktorsadowski.com/Python