What are the best practices for using loops in Python?

What are the best practices for using loops in Python?

When using loops in Python, it's important to keep your code readable and efficient. Here are some best practices:

1. Use list comprehensions for simple loops.
2. Avoid modifying the list you are iterating over.
3. Use the built-in functions like enumerate() and zip() for better readability.
4. Keep the loop body simple and avoid complex logic.

Can you explain why I should avoid modifying the list while iterating?

Modifying a list while iterating can lead to unexpected behavior, such as skipping elements or causing an infinite loop. This happens because the iterator keeps track of the list's indices, and changing the list can disrupt this tracking.

What are list comprehensions?

List comprehensions provide a concise way to create lists. They consist of brackets containing an expression followed by a for clause, and can include optional if clauses. For example, [x**2 for x in range(10)] generates a list of squares from 0 to 9.

Can you give me an example of using enumerate()?

Sure! The enumerate() function adds a counter to an iterable. For example:

fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
for index, fruit in enumerate(fruits):
    print(index, fruit)

This will print the index along with the fruit name.