Nimporter

Compile Nim extensions for Python on import automatically!

With Nimporter, you can simply import Nim source code files as if they were Python modules, and use them seamlessly with Python code. The compiler is invoked to build a Python-compatible extension module and it is then placed in the __pycache__ directory, which means that you don't have to add a line to your .gitignore files because (presumably) Git is already ignoring the __pycache__ directory.

Possible Benefits

Seamless integration with existing Nim code by using the Nimpy library.
Very low effort to create high-performance Python extensions using Nim.
Leverage both language's ecosystems: Python for breadth, Nim for performance.

Dependencies

Nim Compiler
Nimpy library
Nimporter library (this library).
Python 3.7+

Installation

# Windows
$ pip install nimporter  # Nimporter library
$ nimble install nimpy  # Nimpy library

# Everything Else
$ pip3 install nimporter  # Nimporter library
$ nimble install nimpy  # Nimpy library

Examples

# nim_math.nim

import nimpy

proc add(a: int, b: int): int {.exportpy.} =
    return a + b

import nimporter

import nim_math

print(nim_math.add(2, 4))  # 6

Documentation

For tutorials, advanced usage, and more, head over to the Wiki.

Distributing Libraries Using Nimporter

Libraries that require Nim source files can easily distribute those files by adding the following to their setup.py file:

setup(
    name='Foo',                     # Keep your existing arguments
    version='0.1.0',
    ...,
    package_data={'': ['*.nim']},   # Distribute Nim source files
    include_package_data=True,
    install_requires=['nimporter']  # Depends upon Nimporter
)

When creating a source distribution, the Nim source files will be included along with the normal Python files it uses.

Stargazers over time

Made using https://starchart.cc/

WesleyYue/nimporter