The author replaced Python with C in a high-performance data processing project due to performance bottlenecks.Key reasons for choosing C included predictable performance, direct memory control, and better hardware integration.The rewrite process involved creating C extensions for critical functions using Python's C API.A hybrid approach resulted in a 5-8x speedup in critical functions while maintaining most of the system in Python.Challenges included adapting to manual memory management and error handling in C.Lessons learned included not rewriting all code, using hybrid approaches, and prioritizing testing.The current architecture involves a Python frontend, a C core engine, and direct hardware communication.The migration to C led to significant performance improvements, better hardware integration, and reduced resource requirements.While C offered benefits for this project, the tradeoffs in development speed and maintainability should be considered.The author suggests considering Rust for future projects needing a balance between safety and performance.