What are the differences between Python coroutines and threads?

What are the differences between Python coroutines and threads?

Python coroutines are a way to write asynchronous code using the async/await syntax, while threads are a way to achieve concurrency by running multiple threads in parallel. Coroutines are generally lighter and more efficient for I/O-bound tasks, whereas threads can be more suitable for CPU-bound tasks.

Can you give me an example of how to use coroutines?

Sure! Here's a simple example using the asyncio library:

import asyncio

async def say_hello():
    print('Hello')
    await asyncio.sleep(1)
    print('World!')

asyncio.run(say_hello())

This code defines a coroutine that prints 'Hello', waits for 1 second, and then prints 'World!'.

How do threads work in Python?

Threads in Python can be created using the threading module. Here's a basic example:

import threading

def print_numbers():
    for i in range(5):
        print(i)

thread = threading.Thread(target=print_numbers)
thread.start()
thread.join()

This code creates a thread that runs the print_numbers function.

Which one is better for performance?

It depends on the task. For I/O-bound tasks, coroutines are usually better due to their lightweight nature. For CPU-bound tasks, threads might perform better, but keep in mind Python's Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) can limit their effectiveness.