What is the difference between Python generators and iterators?

What is the difference between Python generators and iterators?

Generators are a type of iterator that allow you to iterate through a sequence of values without storing them in memory. They use the yield keyword to produce values one at a time.

Can you give me an example of a generator?

Sure! Here's a simple generator that yields the first three numbers:

def count_up_to(n):
    count = 1
    while count <= n:
        yield count
        count += 1

How do iterators work in Python?

Iterators in Python implement the iterator protocol, which consists of the __iter__() and __next__() methods. They allow you to traverse through a collection without exposing the underlying structure.

Are there any performance differences between using generators and iterators?

Yes, generators can be more memory efficient than iterators because they yield items one at a time and do not store the entire sequence in memory.