It also sounds as if it's about 4 times faster than Python on my machine, which seems odd. (I could believe a factor of 2 more easily.)
Well, that's exactly the results that I got. You may believe them or not.
I'm sorry if I wasn't clear: I'm not suggesting that you're lying, or anything like that. It's just puzzling. Perhaps there's some rogue thing slowing my computer down, or something/
If I compiled Python myself (as I usually do) instead of using one of the most inefficient (ActiveState) implementations, the results would be much better - as I said, hundreds or thousands times better.
This, however, I do not believe. Let's say that "hundreds or thousands" means at least 200 in this context; then you're claiming to be able to make Python run 8 times faster by compiling it yourself? Show me the evidence, please, or at least offer some explanation.
PS By the way, I am not surprised reading such things as "Really?" or "I could believe a factor of 2 more easily" - I was seeing much worth comments to my posts during last couple of years - Alec
If you're in the habit of saying "hundreds or thousands" when you mean 25, I'm not greatly surprised either. -- g