Python Implementations

CPython

CPython is the reference implementation of Python, written in C. It compiles Python code to intermediate bytecode which is then interpreted by a virtual machine. CPython provides the highest level of compatibility with Python packages and C extension modules.

All versions of the Python language are implemented in C because CPython is the reference implementation.

PyPy

PyPy is a Python interpreter implemented in a restricted statically-typed subset of the Python language called RPython. The interpreter features a just-in-time compiler and supports multiple back-ends (C, CLI, JVM).

PyPy aims for maximum compatibility with the reference CPython implementation while improving performance. On a suite of benchmarks, it’s currently over 5 times faster than CPython.

PyPy supports Python 2.7 & 3.10.

Jython

Jython is a Python implementation that compiles Python code to Java bytecode which is then executed by the JVM (Java Virtual Machine). Additionally, it is able to import and use any Java class like a Python module.

Jython currently supports up to Python 2.7.

IronPython

IronPython is an implementation of Python for the .NET framework. It can use both Python and .NET framework libraries, and can also expose Python code to other languages in the .NET framework.

IronPython supports Python 2.7 and Python 3.4 (3.4.1 released on July 12, 2023).

PythonNet

Python for .NET is a package which provides near seamless integration of a natively installed Python installation with the .NET Common Language Runtime (CLR).

In conjunction with Mono, pythonnet enables native Python installations on non-Windows operating systems, such as OS X and Linux, to operate within the .NET framework. It can be run in addition to IronPython without conflict.

Pythonnet is compatible with Python 2.7 and is currently compatible and tested with Python releases 3.7 - 3.11.