What is cffi?
A Python tool that enables calling C libraries and code by declaring C types and functions using C-like syntax. Supports multiple integration modes including ABI mode, API mode, and embedding.
cffi pricing
Plans, per-tier features and add-ons, dated and linked to live pricing. Pricing changes often; always verify at source before you rely on it.
Free and open source
Open Source
Free- Interact with C code from Python
- ABI mode
- API mode
- Embedding support
- Windows calling conventions
- Thread safety support
Platform & deployment
Independently observed- CLI
- iOS
- macOS
- Linux
- Windows
- Self-hosted
Security & compliance
Known vulnerabilities: 0 (0 in the last 12 months) sourcea count reflects scale & disclosure, not quality
cffi FAQ
Common questions about cffi, answered from independent, dated evidence.
What is cffi?
cffi is a Python library enabling developers to call C code from Python programs. It uses C-style function and type declarations that can be directly extracted from C headers or reference documentation, simplifying the process of building Python-C interfaces.
Source: https://cffi.readthedocs.io/
How much does cffi cost?
cffi is completely free and released under an open source license. There are no paid editions, subscription tiers, or licensing fees.
Source: https://cffi.readthedocs.io/
What calling modes does cffi provide?
cffi offers both ABI (Application Binary Interface) mode and API mode. ABI mode allows runtime calls to pre-compiled libraries, while API mode generates C code that integrates with your C extensions.
Source: https://cffi.readthedocs.io/
Can cffi be used in multithreaded applications?
Yes, cffi includes built-in thread safety support. This feature makes it suitable for use in Python applications that rely on multiple threads.
Source: https://cffi.readthedocs.io/
Does cffi support embedding Python in C programs?
Yes, cffi includes embedding support. This feature allows Python code using cffi to be integrated into and called from C applications.
Source: https://cffi.readthedocs.io/
Is cffi compatible with Windows?
cffi supports Windows-specific calling conventions, making it compatible with Windows systems. You can use cffi to call Windows C libraries from Python.
Source: https://cffi.readthedocs.io/
Who is cffi intended for?
cffi is designed for Python developers who need to integrate with C libraries or write Python extensions without manually coding C code. It is useful whenever C-Python interoperability is required.
Source: https://cffi.readthedocs.io/
cffi alternatives
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The vioscaleAI score: one lens on the evidence
Not user reviews and not a paid placement: a confidence-weighted blend of the independent signals below (adoption, activity, security posture, and more), which you can sort and re-weight yourself. Vendors can correct their listing but can never move their rank, and stars are weighted low as a vanity metric. It is one way to read the evidence for cffi, not the verdict.
| Signal | Score | Weight | Contribution | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release cadence | 80 | 0.12 | 9.6 | ✓ |
| Development activity | 36 | 0.18 | 6.5 | ✓ |
| Stars | 46 | 0.05 | 2.3 | ✓ |
| Security posture | 0 | 0.14 | 0.0 | - |
| Package downloads | 0 | 0.28 | 0.0 | - |
| Developer Q&A activity | 0 | 0.14 | 0.0 | - |
Computed . Re-weight it by intent, or see the full method.
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