title: Is Cython used for building C code or is it used for building Python extensions?
body: <p>I am the sole Matlab user on a team of C++/C# developers. I am transitioning to Python, and was hoping that Cython could help me bridge the gap between my work and my colleagues' work. </p>
  
  <p>I originally thought that Cython could be used to compile Python code to a C source file, which <strong>could</strong> then be imported/called from Python. I was hoping for two benefits from this:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>A speed boost in my programs, and</li>
  <li>A C source file that could be handed off to my colleagues for some <strong>slight</strong> polishing and then ultimately implemented in their (C++/C#) packages. </li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>Unfortunately, it looks like the latter is not an option, but I'm not positive. It looks like the C source file is very bloated with lots of references to Python. I have a three-line Python script that declares a cdef char*, assigns the string "hello world!" to that variable, then prints it. The resulting C file is 2000 lines long. </p>
  
  <p>So, my question is, is benefit #2 unobtainable with Cython? Is the C code generated with Cython <strong>only intended to be used by Python</strong>, or is there a way to remove the Python bloat and get a concise C translation of the Python code?</p>