What are the performance differences between lists and tuples in Python?

What are the performance differences between lists and tuples in Python?

Lists and tuples are both used to store collections of items, but they have different performance characteristics. Lists are mutable, meaning they can be changed after creation, while tuples are immutable. This immutability makes tuples generally faster for iteration and requires less memory.

Can you explain why tuples are faster than lists?

Tuples are faster because they have a smaller memory footprint and their immutability allows for optimizations in memory allocation. Since their size and content cannot change, Python can make certain assumptions that lead to performance improvements.

Are there any scenarios where I should prefer lists over tuples?

Yes, you should prefer lists when you need a collection that can change, such as adding or removing items. Lists also provide more built-in methods for manipulation.

What about the memory usage of lists and tuples?

Tuples generally use less memory than lists because they store data in a more compact form. This can be beneficial when working with large datasets.