Why write ten lines of code when one will do? From magic variable swaps to high-speed data counting, these Python snippets will transform your code.

Python -O won’t magically make every script faster, but in the right workloads it’s a free win—here’s how to test it safely.

Beth Skwarecki is Lifehacker’s Senior Health Editor, and holds certifications as a personal trainer and weightlifting coach. She has been writing about health for over 10 years. There’s an art and a ...