What is the difference between a list and an array in Python?

What is the difference between a list and an array in Python?

In Python, a list is a built-in data type that can hold a collection of items, while an array is provided by the array module and is more efficient for numerical data.

Can you give me examples of when to use each?

Sure! Use lists for general-purpose collections of items, and arrays when you need to perform mathematical operations on large datasets.

Are there any performance differences between them?

Yes, arrays are more memory efficient and faster for numerical operations, while lists are more flexible and easier to use for mixed data types.

How do I create a list and an array in Python?

You can create a list using square brackets, like this: my_list = [1, 2, 3]. For an array, you need to import the array module: import array; my_array = array.array('i', [1, 2, 3]).