What is the difference between a list and an array in Python?

What is the difference between a list and an array in Python?

In Python, a list is a built-in data type that can hold a collection of items, which can be of different types. An array, on the other hand, is provided by the array module and is more efficient for numerical data, as it requires all elements to be of the same type.

When should I use a list instead of an array?

You should use a list when you need a flexible collection that can hold mixed data types or when you need to frequently add or remove items. Use an array when you need to perform mathematical operations on a large set of numerical data efficiently.

Can you give me an example of how to create a list and an array?

Sure! To create a list, you can use: my_list = [1, 'two', 3.0]. For an array, you would do: import array; my_array = array.array('i', [1, 2, 3]), where 'i' indicates the type of the array elements.

Are there any performance differences between them?

Yes, arrays are generally more memory efficient and faster for numerical operations compared to lists, especially with large datasets.