#### Previous topic

numpy.distutils.exec_command

#### Next topic

Python Types and C-Structures

# NumPy C-API

Beware of the man who won’t be bothered with details.
— William Feather, Sr.
The truth is out there.
— Chris Carter, The X Files

NumPy provides a C-API to enable users to extend the system and get access to the array object for use in other routines. The best way to truly understand the C-API is to read the source code. If you are unfamiliar with (C) source code, however, this can be a daunting experience at first. Be assured that the task becomes easier with practice, and you may be surprised at how simple the C-code can be to understand. Even if you don’t think you can write C-code from scratch, it is much easier to understand and modify already-written source code then create it de novo.

Python extensions are especially straightforward to understand because they all have a very similar structure. Admittedly, NumPy is not a trivial extension to Python, and may take a little more snooping to grasp. This is especially true because of the code-generation techniques, which simplify maintenance of very similar code, but can make the code a little less readable to beginners. Still, with a little persistence, the code can be opened to your understanding. It is my hope, that this guide to the C-API can assist in the process of becoming familiar with the compiled-level work that can be done with NumPy in order to squeeze that last bit of necessary speed out of your code.

- Python Types and C-Structures
  - New Python Types Defined
  - Other C-Structures
- System configuration
  - Data type sizes
  - Platform information
- Data Type API
  - Enumerated Types
  - Defines
  - C-type names
  - Printf Formatting
- Array API
  - Array structure and data access
  - Creating arrays
  - Dealing with types
  - Array flags
  - Array method alternative API
  - Functions
  - Auxiliary Data With Object Semantics
  - Array Iterators
  - Broadcasting (multi-iterators)
  - Neighborhood iterator
  - Array Scalars
  - Data-type descriptors
  - Conversion Utilities
  - Miscellaneous
- Array Iterator API
  - Array Iterator
  - Simple Iteration Example
  - Simple Multi-Iteration Example
  - Iterator Data Types
  - Construction and Destruction
  - Functions For Iteration
  - Converting from Previous NumPy Iterators
- UFunc API
  - Constants
  - Macros
  - Functions
  - Generic functions
  - Importing the API
- Generalized Universal Function API
  - Definitions
  - Details of Signature
  - C-API for implementing Elementary Functions
- NumPy core libraries
  - NumPy core math library
- C API Deprecations
  - Background
  - Deprecation Mechanism NPY_NO_DEPRECATED_API