What are the differences between Django QuerySets and Python lists?

What are the differences between Django QuerySets and Python lists?

Django QuerySets are database query representations, while Python lists are in-memory collections. QuerySets are lazy-loaded and can be filtered, ordered, and sliced directly from the database.

Can you explain what lazy loading means in this context?

Lazy loading means that the data is not fetched from the database until it's actually needed. This can improve performance by reducing the amount of data loaded into memory.

Are there any performance benefits to using QuerySets over lists?

Yes, QuerySets can be more efficient for large datasets since they only retrieve the data you need, whereas lists load all data into memory.

What about filtering and ordering? How do they differ?

QuerySets allow you to filter and order data directly in the database, which is more efficient. Lists require you to load all data first and then filter or sort it in memory.