Why are Python bindings developed for existing code in other languages such as C?

Question

What is the motive behind developing Python bindings for existing code in other languages? I see many programmers developing Python bindings for their existing C code. Why? How does it help?

Answer 1

Python has bindings in C, because C is a low-level language that can be very fast and effective, while providing support for a huge amount of hardware and software capabilities. C is very difficult for beginners and inherently lacks object-oriented features, which Python improves upon. C's lack of object-oriented behaviour also contributed to the creation of C++.

Frequently, software projects are bounded by the speed of the developer and not the execution speed of the code, where Python excels over C, in most cases.

Python's strengths over C include:

• very clear, readable syntax
• strong introspection capabilities
• intuitive object orientation
• natural expression of procedural code
• full modularity, supporting hierarchical packages
• exception-based error handling
• very high level dynamic data types
• extensive standard libraries and third party modules for virtually every task
• extensions and modules easily written in C, C++ (or Java for Jython, or .NET languages for IronPython)
• embeddable within applications as a scripting interface

http://www.python.org/about/

Answer 2

Although I cannot say this with full authority because it is preference-based, developing Python bindings for C makes development process easier for those who find Python syntax more productive and easier to work with.

(for example, Python CUDA, 3D, Kinect, etc. libraries)

Answer 3

Because there are many very high quality libraries in C with many many years of testing, bugfixing, etc., and it is crazy to try to reimplement everything in Python (e.g., I would never use cryptographic libraries in Python, one should use bindings to well tested and paranoid-developed C libraries like openssl, NSS, or gnutls).