[Tutor] Cython question

[Albert-Jan Roskam]

Hi,

Some time ago I finished a sav reader for Spss .sav data files (also with the 
help of some of you!):
http://code.activestate.com/recipes/577650-python-reader-for-spss-sav-files/

It works fine, but it is not fast with big files. I am thinking of implementing 
two of the functions in cython (getValueChar and getValueNum).
As far as I understood it requires the functions to be re-written in a 
Python-like langauge, 'minus the memory manager'. That little piece of code is 
converted to C and subsequently compiled to a .dll or .so file. The original 
program listens and talks to that .dll file. A couple of questions:
-is this a correct representation of things?
-will the speed improvement be worthwhile? (pros)
-are there reasons not to try this? (cons)
-is it 'sane' to mix ctypes and cython for nonintensive and intensive 
operations, respectively?

Thanks in advance!

Cheers!!
Albert-Jan


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