What are the differences between Python iterators and list comprehensions?

What are the differences between Python iterators and list comprehensions?

Python iterators are objects that allow you to traverse through a collection, while list comprehensions provide a concise way to create lists. Iterators use the iter() and next() functions, whereas list comprehensions use a single line of code to generate lists.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! For an iterator, you can use iter(range(5)) and then call next() to get each value. For a list comprehension, you can write [x**2 for x in range(5)] to get a list of squares.

When should I use one over the other?

Use iterators when dealing with large datasets to save memory, and list comprehensions for simpler, more readable code when creating lists.

Are there performance differences between them?

Yes, list comprehensions are generally faster for creating lists because they are optimized for that purpose, while iterators are more memory efficient.