Increasing speed of python code

Question

I have some python code that has many classes. I used cProfile to find that the total time to run the program is 68 seconds. I found that the following function in

Answer 1

You can eliminate some lookups by using local function aliases:

def qtyDemanded(self, timePd, priceVector):
    '''Returns quantity demanded in period timePd. In addition,
    also updates the list of customers and non-customers.

    Inputs: timePd and priceVector
    Output: count of people for whom priceVector[-1] < utility
    '''
    price = priceVector[-1]
    self.customers = []
    self.nonCustomers = []

    # local function aliases
    addCust = self.customers.append
    addNonCust = self.nonCustomers.append

    for person in self.people:
        if person.utility >= price:             
            person.customer = 1
            addCust(person)
        else:
            person.customer = 0
            addNonCust(person)

    return len(self.customers)