How to write Inline Functions in Python?

[Mark Charsley]

In article <mailman.1037254879.20737.python-list at python.org>, 
tdelaney at avaya.com (Delaney, Timothy) wrote:

> I assume you're coming from C++. In that case, I suggest you take a good
> hard look at why you want to write inline functions/methods anyway. If
> you're doing it for performance reasons, your compiler is almost 
> certainly
> going to be better at deciding what to inline, and has the option to do 
> so
> unless you explicitly tell it not to. If you're doing for any other 
> reason
> (such as putting code in header files) I strongly advise against it.
> 
> Inline was developed when computers were slower and compilers were more
> stupid. These days I see no need to inline whatsoever.

While blatantly off-topic, inlining in C++ has two advantages:
- saves the expense of a function call
- gives the compiler visibility into the function giving it vastly greater 
optimisation opportunities.

The first is usually insignificant even in C++, so if performance is that 
important, one shouldn't use Python (ooh look: briefly on-topic). The last 
is of major importance and is more important with today's smart compilers 
than it was years ago with dumb optimisers.

Mark