What is the Iterable Protocol and how does it work?

What is the Iterable Protocol and how does it work?

The Iterable Protocol is a design pattern that allows for the traversal of a collection of items. It defines a standard way to access elements in a sequence without exposing the underlying structure.

Can you explain how it differs from other protocols?

Sure! Unlike the Iterator Protocol, which focuses on providing a way to iterate over a collection, the Iterable Protocol allows an object to be iterable, meaning it can return an iterator when requested.

What are some practical applications of the Iterable Protocol?

It's commonly used in programming languages like Python and JavaScript for looping through data structures like lists, sets, and maps, making it easier to work with collections.

Are there any performance considerations I should be aware of?

Yes, performance can vary based on the underlying data structure. For example, iterating over a linked list may be slower than iterating over an array due to the way elements are accessed.