How can decorators improve performance in Python?

How can decorators improve performance in Python?

Decorators can enhance performance by allowing you to modify functions or methods without changing their code. They can be used for caching, logging, and enforcing access control, which can lead to more efficient code execution.

Can you give me an example of a caching decorator?

Sure! Here's a simple caching decorator:

import functools

def cache(func):
    cached_results = {}
    @functools.wraps(func)
    def wrapper(*args):
        if args in cached_results:
            return cached_results[args]
        result = func(*args)
        cached_results[args] = result
        return result
    return wrapper

How does this caching decorator work?

The caching decorator stores the results of function calls in a dictionary. When the function is called with the same arguments, it returns the cached result instead of recalculating it, which saves time.

Are there any downsides to using decorators?

Yes, while decorators can improve performance, they can also add complexity to your code and make debugging harder. It's important to use them judiciously.