title: Which is faster: x*x or x**2?
body: <p>I am trying to optimize my Python code.  Between:</p>
  
  <pre><code>y = x*x
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>or</p>
  
  <pre><code>y = x**2
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>if I need one trillion iterations in a speed-critical program, which one should I choose?</p>