What are the performance differences between a set and a list in Python?

What are the performance differences between a set and a list in Python?

Sets in Python are implemented as hash tables, which means they offer average O(1) time complexity for lookups, while lists have O(n) for lookups.

So, does that mean sets are always faster than lists?

Not necessarily. Sets are faster for membership tests, but lists can be more efficient for ordered data and when you need to maintain duplicates.

What about memory usage? Are sets more memory-intensive than lists?

Yes, sets generally use more memory than lists because they store hash values and require additional space for their underlying structure.

Can you give me an example of when to use a set over a list?

Use a set when you need to ensure uniqueness, like tracking unique user IDs, while a list is better for ordered collections.