Why Python __pycache__ file? 🤔

At first, I wondered why this file was created automatically. Later, I learned the reason and gained a deeper understanding.

You will never see this __pycache__.pyc if you are working on top-level files (Single file in the folder).

__pycache__.pyc is automatically generated at the time of importing code from other files to store compiled byte code files in .pyc format . When a Python script or module is executed, the interpreter translates the source code into bytecode before executing it.

__pycache__.pyc It updates only when you make changes or add a new file. This does not change the entire file; it only updates the parts you have modified.

Most online compilers hide __pycache__.pyc, so you won't see it there.

Bytecode is not machine code; it is a Python-specific interpretation. Machine code consists of direct instructions to the hardware. Bytecode is optimized specifically for Python.

How naming works

hello_chai.cpython-312.pyc

1. hello_chai: this is a file name we set.

2. CPython: CPython is the default and most widely used implementation of the Python language.

3. 312: This shows which version we are using as I am using 3.12

Thank you for reading.