What are Python generators and how do they work?

What are Python generators and how do they work?

Python generators are a type of iterable, like lists or tuples. They allow you to iterate through a sequence of values without storing the entire sequence in memory. This is done using the yield statement.

Can you give me an example of a simple generator?

Sure! Here's a simple generator that yields the first three numbers:

def count_up_to(n):
    count = 1
    while count <= n:
        yield count
        count += 1

How is a generator different from a regular function?

A regular function returns a single value and exits, while a generator can yield multiple values over time, pausing its state between each yield. This allows for more memory-efficient iterations.

When should I use generators instead of lists?

Use generators when dealing with large datasets or streams of data where you don't need to store all values in memory at once. They are more efficient in terms of memory usage.