Django QuerySet vs List: Which to Use?

What's the difference between a Django QuerySet and a Python list?

A Django QuerySet is a lazy database query that retrieves data from the database, while a Python list is an in-memory collection of items.

When should I use a QuerySet instead of a list?

You should use a QuerySet when dealing with large datasets or when you need to filter, order, or aggregate data directly from the database.

Are there performance differences between the two?

Yes, QuerySets are generally more efficient for large datasets since they only fetch the data you need, while lists load all data into memory.

Can I convert a QuerySet to a list?

Yes, you can convert a QuerySet to a list using the list() function in Python, but be cautious with large datasets.