title: Python Compilation/Interpretation Process
body: <p>I'm trying to understand the python compiler/interpreter process more clearly. Unfortunately, I have not taken a class in interpreters nor have I read much about them.</p>
  <p>Basically, what I understand right now is that Python code from <code>.py</code> files is first compiled into python bytecode (which I assume are the <code>.pyc</code> files I see occasionally?). Next, the bytecode is compiled into machine code, a language the processor actually understands.
  Pretty much, I've read this thread <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/888100/why-python-compile-the-source-to-bytecode-before-interpreting">Why python compile the source to bytecode before interpreting?</a></p>
  <p>Could somebody give me a good explanation of the whole process keeping in mind that my knowledge of compilers/interpreters is almost non-existent? Or, if that's not possible, maybe give me some resources that give quick overviews of compilers/interpreters?</p>
  <p>Thanks</p>