What are some examples of iterators in Python?

What are some examples of iterators in Python?

In Python, an iterator is an object that implements the iterator protocol, consisting of the methods iter() and next(). Examples include lists, tuples, and custom iterator classes.

Can you show me a simple example of a custom iterator?

Sure! Here's a simple custom iterator that counts from 1 to a specified number:

class CountIterator:
    def __init__(self, max):
        self.max = max
        self.current = 1
    
    def __iter__(self):
        return self
    
    def __next__(self):
        if self.current > self.max:
            raise StopIteration
        else:
            current = self.current
            self.current += 1
            return current

How do I use this CountIterator?

You can use the CountIterator like this:

counter = CountIterator(5)
for number in counter:
    print(number)

This will output numbers from 1 to 5.

What are the benefits of using iterators?

Iterators allow you to traverse through a collection without needing to know its underlying structure, save memory by generating items on-the-fly, and provide a consistent interface for iteration.