How do I use deques in Python's collections module?

How do I use deques in Python's collections module?

Deques, or double-ended queues, allow you to add and remove elements from both ends efficiently. You can use the collections.deque class.

Can you show me a simple example of how to create and use a deque?

Sure! Here's a basic example:

from collections import deque

# Create a deque
my_deque = deque([1, 2, 3])

# Add elements
my_deque.append(4)  # Add to the right
my_deque.appendleft(0)  # Add to the left

# Remove elements
my_deque.pop()  # Remove from the right
my_deque.popleft()  # Remove from the left

What are the advantages of using a deque over a list?

Deques provide O(1) time complexity for appending and popping from both ends, while lists have O(n) for these operations when modifying the front.

Are there any limitations to using deques?

Yes, deques are not as memory efficient as lists for small data sizes, and they don't support random access like lists do.