12 Cython is a language that makes writing C extensions for the Python language
13 as easy as Python itself. Cython is based on the well-known `Pyrex
14 <http://www.cosc.canterbury.ac.nz/greg.ewing/python/Pyrex/>`_ language by Greg Ewing,
15 but supports more cutting edge functionality and optimizations [#]_.
16 The Cython language is very close to the Python language, but Cython
17 additionally supports calling C functions and declaring C types on variables
18 and class attributes. This allows the compiler to generate very efficient C
19 code from Cython code.
21 This makes Cython the ideal language for wrapping external C libraries,
22 and for fast C modules that speed up the execution of Python code.
26 Cython is not finished. Substantial tasks remaining. See
27 :ref:`cython-limitations` for a current list.
31 .. [#] For differences with Pyrex see :ref:`pyrex-differences`.