What is the difference between generators and functions in Python?

What is the difference between generators and functions in Python?

Generators are a type of iterable, like a list or a function, but they yield values one at a time and maintain state.

Can you explain how a generator works with an example?

Sure! A generator uses the 'yield' keyword. For example:

def count_up_to(n):
    count = 1
    while count <= n:
        yield count
        count += 1

This function generates numbers from 1 to n.

How do regular functions differ in terms of memory usage?

Regular functions return a value and exit, using memory for all values at once. Generators use less memory since they yield one value at a time.

Are there any performance benefits to using generators?

Yes, generators can improve performance by reducing memory usage and allowing for lazy evaluation, which can speed up processing.