What are the uses of collections in Python?

What are the uses of collections in Python?

Collections in Python are specialized container data types that provide alternatives to built-in types like lists and dictionaries. They include namedtuple, deque, Counter, OrderedDict, and defaultdict, each serving unique purposes.

Can you give me an example of when to use a Counter?

Sure! A Counter is useful for counting hashable objects. For example, if you have a list of words and want to count the frequency of each word, you can use Counter to easily achieve that.

What about using a defaultdict?

A defaultdict is great when you want to avoid key errors in dictionaries. It allows you to set a default value for non-existent keys, which can simplify your code when counting or grouping items.

Are there any performance benefits to using these collections?

Yes, some collections are optimized for specific tasks, which can lead to better performance. For instance, deques are faster for appending and popping items from both ends compared to lists.