What are the differences between vectorization and looping in programming?

What are the differences between vectorization and looping in programming?

Vectorization is a method of performing operations on entire arrays or matrices at once, while looping involves iterating through elements one by one.

Which one is more efficient for large datasets?

Vectorization is generally more efficient for large datasets because it leverages optimized low-level operations and reduces overhead.

Can you give me an example of vectorization in Python?

Sure! In Python, using NumPy, you can add two arrays like this: result = array1 + array2, which adds elements without explicit loops.

What about the readability of code? Is vectorization harder to read?

Vectorized code can be less intuitive for beginners, but it often leads to cleaner and more concise code once you understand the concepts.