Coming soon: Profile Python Applications with Blackfire Profiler

By Christophe Dujarric, on Nov 07, 2019

Measuring Performance in the Python World

Python is an interpreted, high-level programming language. It is used for a wide variety of applications, from data science and machine learning to web applications. Just as many cases where performance is key.

Python natively includes profiling utilities: `cProfile` and `profile` in 2.x and 3.x, as well as `hotshot` in 2.x (no longer in 3.x). `cProfile` and `profile` are both based on `_lsprofile`, itself a core C module of Python. Those are deterministic profilers; giving a performance snapshot over a single request/script run. The main benefit is that the profiling data will go deep into the Python code, thanks to hooks which happen at the C level.

The Python ecosystem also offers various statistical profilers. Those gather information for all executed requests, getting metrics somewhat close to what an APM would provide.

The Python Profiler you needed

Sümer Cip, creator of Yappi (deterministic profiler integrated in PyCharm), joined Blackfire in summer 2019. His expertise of Python profiling and Blackfire’s unrivalled technology on the PHP market are bringing you the Python Profiler you’ve been looking for.

Blackfire is a deterministic profiler with a unique automatic instrumentation technology. Inert as long as no profiling is triggered by a developer or a tool. Active only on the requests/scripts which are triggered for profiling purposes. Blackfire is natively built for use in development, test, staging AND production.

Not even mentioning the care we give to building intuitive and appealing profile vizualisations! Here is an example of a Django app profile with Blackfire:

Blackfire Profile of a Django Application

Blackfire Profiler for Python is still under development, but we’ll keep posting regular updates.

Want to get updates, sneak peeks, and an early bird discount when we launch? Pre-register now!

Happy profiling,

Christophe Dujarric

Christophe is the Chief Product Officer at Blackfire. He's an engineer, but probably one of the least "tech" people in the company. He's wearing many hats, from product management to marketing and sales. He loves the beauty of simple solutions that solve actual problems.