What are the performance implications of using decorators in Python?

What are the performance implications of using decorators in Python?

Using decorators can introduce some overhead due to additional function calls, but they can also enhance code readability and maintainability.

Can you explain how this overhead occurs?

Sure! When a decorator is applied, it wraps the original function, which adds an extra layer of function calls. This can slow down execution, especially if the decorator does complex processing.

Are there any scenarios where decorators are particularly beneficial despite the overhead?

Yes, decorators are beneficial for cross-cutting concerns like logging, authentication, or caching, where the benefits often outweigh the performance costs.

How can I measure the performance impact of decorators in my code?

You can use the time module or profiling tools like cProfile to measure the execution time of functions with and without decorators.