next up previous contents
Next: Self-Recursive Calls Up: 5 Advanced Compiler Use Previous: 5.5.1 Tail Recursion Exceptions

5.6 Local Call

       

Python supports two kinds of function call: full call and local call. Full call is the standard calling convention; its late binding and generality make Common Lisp what it is, but create unavoidable overheads. When the compiler can compile the calling function and the called function simultaneously, it can use local call to avoid some of the overhead of full call. Local call is really a collection of compilation strategies. If some aspect of call overhead is not needed in a particular local call, then it can be omitted. In some cases, local call can be totally free. Local call provides two main advantages to the user:





Raymond Toy
Mon Jul 14 09:11:27 EDT 1997