What is the performance difference between map and list comprehension in Python?

What is the performance difference between map and list comprehension in Python?

In Python, both map and list comprehensions can be used to apply a function to a sequence. However, their performance can vary based on the context.

Can you explain how each one works?

Sure! map applies a function to all items in an input list and returns a map object, while list comprehension creates a new list by applying an expression to each item.

Which one is generally faster?

List comprehensions are often faster than map because they are optimized for performance in Python. However, the difference can be negligible for small datasets.

Are there any scenarios where I should prefer one over the other?

Yes, if you need a list as a result, list comprehensions are more Pythonic and often clearer. Use map if you want to apply a function without creating an intermediate list.