What are Python generators and how do they work?

What are Python generators and how do they work?

Python generators are a type of iterable, like lists or tuples. They allow you to iterate through a sequence of values without storing the entire sequence in memory. You create a generator using a function that contains one or more 'yield' statements.

Can you explain the difference between a generator and a regular function?

Sure! A regular function computes a value and returns it, while a generator uses 'yield' to produce a series of values over time, pausing its state between each yield. This makes generators more memory efficient for large datasets.

What are some practical use cases for generators?

Generators are great for handling large data streams, such as reading large files line by line, or generating infinite sequences like Fibonacci numbers without consuming memory for all values at once.

How do I create a generator expression?

You can create a generator expression using parentheses. For example, (x*x for x in range(10)) creates a generator that yields the squares of numbers from 0 to 9.