What are the differences between iterators and for loops in Python?

What are the differences between iterators and for loops in Python?

In Python, an iterator is an object that implements the iterator protocol, consisting of the methods iter() and next(). A for loop, on the other hand, is a control flow statement that allows code to be executed repeatedly based on a condition. Essentially, for loops can use iterators to iterate over items.

Can you give me an example of using an iterator?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

my_list = [1, 2, 3]
iterator = iter(my_list)
print(next(iterator))  # Output: 1
print(next(iterator))  # Output: 2

This code creates an iterator from a list and retrieves elements one by one.

How about an example of a for loop?

Absolutely! Here's an example of a for loop:

for number in my_list:
    print(number)

This will print each number in the list sequentially.

When should I use an iterator instead of a for loop?

You should use an iterator when you need to traverse through a collection without needing to load the entire collection into memory, or when you want to maintain state between iterations.