What are Python iterators and how do they work?

What are Python iterators and how do they work?

Python iterators are objects that allow you to traverse through a collection, like lists or tuples, without needing to know the underlying structure. They implement two methods: iter() and next().

Can you give me an example of how to create a custom iterator?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

class MyIterator:
    def __init__(self, limit):
        self.limit = limit
        self.current = 0

    def __iter__(self):
        return self

    def __next__(self):
        if self.current < self.limit:
            self.current += 1
            return self.current - 1
        else:
            raise StopIteration

How do I use this custom iterator in a loop?

You can use it in a for loop like this:

for number in MyIterator(5):
    print(number)

This will print numbers from 0 to 4.

What are the benefits of using iterators in Python?

Iterators provide a way to access elements of a collection without exposing the underlying structure, which can lead to more memory-efficient and cleaner code.