What are the implementation details of deque in Python's collections module?

What are the implementation details of deque in Python's collections module?

The deque, or double-ended queue, in Python's collections module is implemented as a doubly linked list. This allows for O(1) time complexity for appending and popping elements from both ends.

Can you explain how it differs from a list?

Certainly! Unlike lists, which are optimized for fast fixed-time access to elements, deques are optimized for fast appends and pops from both ends. Lists have O(n) complexity for these operations when done at the beginning.

Are there any specific use cases where deque is preferred over a list?

Yes, deques are preferred in scenarios where you need to maintain a queue or stack, such as breadth-first search algorithms or when implementing a sliding window.

What methods does deque provide?

Deque provides several methods including append(), appendleft(), pop(), popleft(), extend(), and extendleft(), among others, to manipulate the elements efficiently.