When should I use lazy evaluation?

What is lazy evaluation and when should I use it?

Lazy evaluation is a programming technique where expressions are not evaluated until their values are needed. You should use it when dealing with large data sets or when you want to improve performance by avoiding unnecessary calculations.

Can you give me an example of lazy evaluation in Python?

Sure! In Python, you can use generators to implement lazy evaluation. For example, using a generator function to yield values one at a time instead of returning a complete list allows you to process large data sets efficiently.

What are the benefits of using lazy evaluation?

The benefits include improved performance, reduced memory usage, and the ability to work with infinite data structures, as values are computed only when required.

Are there any downsides to lazy evaluation?

Yes, potential downsides include increased complexity in debugging and the risk of holding onto resources longer than necessary, which can lead to memory leaks.