Python performance

[Chris Ryland]

The recent Python-for-Lisp-ers note and other recent notes have brought up
Python performance.

I'm just curious (being an old language hacker for 30+ years but new to
Python): why is Python performance ultimately any worse than Lisp?

Is it because there's only been one major implementation effort so far, and
so people haven't had a chance to learn the techniques required to make it
run fast, while Lisp has had 30+ years to mature?

What's so different about compiling Python vs. Lisp? Some Lisp compilers
have gotten quite good over the years.

I realize this is a big subject, and that many of you Python wizards out
there have thought a good deal about it, and I don't want to open a can of
worms, but if someone can summarize the issues, that'd sure be helpful to
someone who wants to understand them.

Thanks.
--
Cheers!
/ Chris Ryland, President / Em Software, Inc. / www.emsoftware.com