What is the difference between itertools and built-in functions in Python?

What is the difference between itertools and built-in functions in Python?

Itertools is a module in Python that provides functions for creating iterators for efficient looping, while built-in functions are standard functions available in Python without needing to import any module.

Can you give me examples of both?

Sure! An example of a built-in function is sum(), which adds numbers. An example from itertools is itertools.chain(), which combines multiple iterables.

When should I use itertools instead of built-in functions?

Use itertools when you need to handle large data sets or require advanced iteration techniques, as it can be more memory efficient.

Are there any performance differences between them?

Yes, itertools functions are generally more memory efficient for large datasets since they generate items on-the-fly, while built-in functions may require loading all data into memory.