What are the limitations of the Python bisect module?

What are the limitations of the Python bisect module?

The Python bisect module is great for maintaining a list in sorted order, but it has some limitations. For instance, it only works with sorted lists, and it doesn't handle duplicate values well. Additionally, it doesn't provide a way to remove elements efficiently.

Can you explain how it handles duplicates?

Sure! The bisect module can find the insertion point for a value in a sorted list, but if there are duplicates, it will always return the position of the first occurrence. This can lead to unexpected behavior if you're trying to insert or remove specific duplicates.

Are there any performance issues I should be aware of?

Yes, while the bisect module is efficient for insertion and searching, its performance can degrade with very large lists due to the O(n) complexity of maintaining order. If you're frequently modifying the list, consider using other data structures.

What alternatives do I have for sorted lists?

You might consider using data structures like SortedList from the sortedcontainers module, which maintains order and allows for efficient insertions and deletions.