PYC File – What is .pyc file and how to open it?

Python Compiled File (PYC)

A PYC file is a compiled Python source code file. When a Python script is executed for the first time, the interpreter compiles the script into a PYC file. This compiled file is then executed, which is typically faster than executing the Python source code directly. PYC files are automatically generated and stored in the same directory as the corresponding Python source file. They have the same name as the source file, but with a .PYC extension.

The purpose of PYC files is to speed up the execution of Python scripts. By compiling the source code into a bytecode format, the interpreter can execute the script more efficiently. This can be particularly beneficial for frequently executed scripts or scripts that are part of a larger application. PYC files are also platform-independent, meaning that a PYC file generated on one platform can be executed on any other platform that supports Python.

Opening PYC Files on Windows

To open PYC files on Windows, you can use any text editor such as Notepad, Notepad++, or Sublime Text. However, it’s important to note that PYC files are compiled Python bytecode, and they cannot be executed directly. To execute a PYC file, you need to convert it back to its original Python code (.PY) using a decompiler. There are several decompilers available online, such as Uncompyle6 and Jadx. Once you have decompiled the PYC file, you can open and edit it using any text editor.

Opening PYC Files on Mac

On Mac, you can use the Terminal application to open PYC files. First, open Terminal and navigate to the directory where the PYC file is located. Then, type the following command:


cat filename.pyc


This will display the contents of the PYC file in the Terminal window. You can also use a text editor to open PYC files on Mac, but you may need to install a Python interpreter before you can do so. Once you have installed Python, you can open a PYC file in any text editor by right-clicking on the file and selecting “Open With” > “Python”.

Characteristics of PYC Files

PYC files are generated by the Python interpreter to store bytecode, which is an intermediate representation of Python code. They serve as the compiled version of .PY files, containing the optimized machine-readable instructions that execute Python programs more efficiently. PYC files are typically created when a .PY file is imported or run for the first time. The Python interpreter compiles the code in the .PY file into bytecode and stores it in a corresponding .PYC file. Subsequent imports or executions utilize the precompiled bytecode to enhance performance.

Advantages and Disadvantages of PYC Files

The primary advantage of PYC files is improved execution speed. By storing the precompiled bytecode, the Python interpreter skips the compilation step and directly interprets the bytecode. This saves considerable execution time, especially for large or frequently executed programs. Additionally, PYC files can enhance security by obfuscating the original Python code, making it more difficult to reverse engineer and potentially exploit vulnerabilities.

However, PYC files also have some disadvantages. They introduce potential maintenance issues, as the .PYC file must be recompiled every time the corresponding .PY file changes. This can become cumbersome in development environments where code is frequently updated. Furthermore, PYC files can create platform-specific dependencies. If a .PYC file is generated on one machine, it may not be compatible with other machines running different versions of Python or operating systems.

Other Extensions