What are the differences between heapq and sorted in Python?

What are the differences between heapq and sorted in Python?

The heapq module provides an implementation of the heap queue algorithm, while sorted() returns a new sorted list from the elements of any iterable.

When should I use heapq instead of sorted?

Use heapq when you need to maintain a priority queue or when you want to efficiently retrieve the smallest elements. sorted() is better for one-time sorting.

Can you give an example of using heapq?

Sure! You can use heapq.heappush() to add elements to a heap and heapq.heappop() to remove the smallest element.

Is heapq faster than sorted for large datasets?

Yes, heapq can be faster for large datasets when you only need to access the smallest elements repeatedly, as it maintains a heap structure.