Python has a flag -O that you can execute the interpreter with. The option will generate "optimized" bytecode (written to .pyo files), and given twice, it will discard docstrings. From Python's man page:
-O Turn on basic optimizations. This changes the filename extension for compiled (bytecode) files from .pyc to .pyo. Given twice, causes docstrings to be discarded.
This option's two major features as I see it are:
Strip all assert statements. This trades defense against corrupt program state for speed. But don't you need a ton of assert statements for this to make a difference? Do you have any code where this is worthwhile (and sane?)
Strip all docstrings. In what application is the memory usage so critical, that this is a win? Why not push everything into modules written in C?
What is the use of this option? Does it have a real-world value?