python-lzf
C Extension for liblzf
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
No. The package is abandoned (archived repository, no active maintenance since June 2024), has high install friction due to C compilation requirements, and offers no documented Python version support. Unless you are maintaining legacy code already using it, prefer modern, actively maintained alternatives like zstandard or lz4 that offer similar performance with better toolchain support.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires a C compiler and liblzf development headers installed on the system; Python version support is unspecified and may not work on modern Python versions.
- High install friction: the package is a C extension requiring compilation.
- The repository is archived and abandoned—last commit was 2024-06-13 but no active maintenance.
License · maintenance · safety
BSD (permissive) — BSD license (permissive) places no restrictions on use, modification, or redistribution in proprietary or open-source contexts.
last release 2024-06-13 (792 days) · last repo commit 2024-06-13 · 22 stars · archived
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 114,332 downloads/mo, #12,304 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install python-lzf
import lzf
compressed = lzf.compress(b'data to compress')
original = lzf.decompress(compressed, len(b'data to compress'))- Whether the package builds and runs on current Python versions (3.10+); no Python version constraint is documented.
- Current status of liblzf system library availability and compatibility across platforms.
- Whether compress() and decompress() behavior with None returns is well-documented for error handling.
What it is and what it does
python-lzf is a thin C extension that wraps the liblzf compression library, exposing two core functions: compress() to reduce data size and decompress() to restore it. The library is designed for speed and minimal overhead, making it suitable for scenarios where fast, simple compression is needed without the overhead of heavier algorithms.
The package has no runtime dependencies beyond the system liblzf library. However, it is a compiled C extension, so installation requires a working C compiler and liblzf headers. The repository is archived and unmaintained as of the latest release in June 2024, and Python version support is unspecified—this creates risk for compatibility with modern Python versions.
Use it for
- Compress small to medium data payloads in-memory where speed matters more than compression ratio.
- Embed lightweight compression in applications that already depend on liblzf at the system level.
- Legacy projects that already use python-lzf and need to continue running on older Python versions.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
No.
The package is abandoned (archived repository, no active maintenance since June 2024), has high install friction due to C compilation requirements, and offers no documented Python version support. Unless you are maintaining legacy code already using it, prefer modern, actively maintained alternatives like zstandard or lz4 that offer similar performance with better toolchain support.
Install
python-lzf on PyPI
Before you install
High install friction: the package is a C extension requiring compilation. The repository is archived and abandoned—last commit was 2024-06-13 but no active maintenance. With 792 days since the last release, expect no fixes for compatibility issues with newer Python versions or build toolchains.
Requires a C compiler and liblzf development headers installed on the system; Python version support is unspecified and may not work on modern Python versions.
License in practice
BSD license (permissive) places no restrictions on use, modification, or redistribution in proprietary or open-source contexts.
Quickstart
pip install python-lzf
import lzf
compressed = lzf.compress(b'data to compress')
original = lzf.decompress(compressed, len(b'data to compress'))Verify before relying
- Whether the package builds and runs on current Python versions (3.10+); no Python version constraint is documented.
- Current status of liblzf system library availability and compatibility across platforms.
- Whether compress() and decompress() behavior with None returns is well-documented for error handling.
Package facts
| License | BSD permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | High. Source build required |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Abandoned 792 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | repository archived |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 114,332 / month, #12,304 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseNatural Language :: EnglishProgramming Language :: CTopic :: System :: Archiving :: Compression |
Evidence: python_lzf-0.2.6.tar.gz
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