What is the difference between Python iterators and async iterators?

What is the difference between Python iterators and async iterators?

Python iterators are objects that implement the iterator protocol, allowing you to iterate over a collection. Async iterators, on the other hand, are designed for asynchronous programming, enabling iteration over data that may not be immediately available, like data from a network request.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! A simple iterator example is using a list: my_list = [1, 2, 3]; for item in my_list: print(item). An async iterator example would be using async for with an async generator: async def async_gen(): yield 1; yield 2; yield 3; async for item in async_gen(): print(item).

When should I use async iterators?

Use async iterators when dealing with I/O-bound tasks, like fetching data from APIs or databases, where you want to avoid blocking the execution of your program.

Are there any performance differences?

Yes, async iterators can improve performance in I/O-bound scenarios by allowing other tasks to run while waiting for data, whereas regular iterators block execution until the iteration is complete.