What are the differences between iterables and iterators in Python?

What are the differences between iterables and iterators in Python?

In Python, an iterable is an object that can return its members one at a time, while an iterator is an object that represents a stream of data and keeps track of its current position.

Can you give me examples of each?

Sure! A list is an iterable, and you can create an iterator from it using the iter() function. For example, my_list = [1, 2, 3] and my_iter = iter(my_list).

How do I use an iterator to loop through items?

You can use the next() function to get the next item from an iterator. For example, next(my_iter) will return the next item in the sequence.

Are there any built-in functions that work with iterators?

Yes! Functions like sum(), list(), and for loops can work directly with iterators.