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

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

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

So, when should I use a set instead of a list?

Use a set when you need to ensure uniqueness of elements or require fast membership testing. Lists are better for ordered collections.

Can you give me an example of when a list would be more appropriate?

Sure! If you need to maintain the order of elements or allow duplicates, like a shopping list, a list is the way to go.

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

Yes, sets generally use more memory than lists due to their underlying hash table structure, which requires additional space.