Technology1 min read

The Real Python Podcast – Episode #318: Free-Threaded Python: Why Python Devs Should Know About the ABI

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Goldbaum outlined his contributions toward adapting the ecosystem for concurrency, including updating the PyO3 framework so Rust extensions run safely in free-threaded builds. He also reviewed core updates shipped in Python 3.13, specifically alterations to the garbage collector and the base PyObject structure. Beyond core internals, the broadcast covered external utilities like the MarkItDown conversion tool and practical demonstrations of the experimental JIT compiler.

Key points

  • Understanding the CPython Application Binary Interface is crucial for maintaining extensi…: Understanding the CPython Application Binary Interface is crucial for maintaining extension compatibility under the free-threaded build.
  • Rust developers can leverage recent updates in PyO3 to create thread-safe extensions comp…: Rust developers can leverage recent updates in PyO3 to create thread-safe extensions compatible with free-threaded Python.
  • Developers can experiment directly with Python 3.13 features through sample code targetin…: Developers can experiment directly with Python 3.13 features through sample code targeting the JIT compiler and free threading.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Episode 318: Free-Threaded Python: Why Python Devs Should Know About the ABI

The Real Python Podcast

Why should every Python developer know about the CPython ABI? This week on the show, we speak with Nathan Goldbaum about free-threaded Python and the changes to the Python Application Binary Interface.

Episode Sponsor:

Nathan recently joined the CPython core developer team and has been building community support for free-threaded Python. Nathan shares his NumPy background and his work on shipping a new DType in NumPy 2.0. He also discusses his work on PyO3 and leading the effort to support thread-safe Rust extensions for use with the free-threaded build of Python.

This episode is sponsored by PropelAuth.

Spotlight: Converting Documents to Markdown With MarkItDown

Learn how to use MarkItDown to convert Excel files, PDFs, and images into clean Markdown that’s ready for LLMs and AI workflows.

Get Your Code: Click here to download the free sample code that shows you how to work with the experimental free threading and JIT compiler in Python 3.13.

Topics:

- 00:00:00 – Introduction

- 00:01:51 – The evolution…

Technology