When should I use Counter in Python?

When should I use Counter in Python?

You should use Counter when you need to count the occurrences of hashable objects, like elements in a list.

Can you give me an example of how to use it?

Sure! You can use it like this: from collections import Counter; counts = Counter(['a', 'b', 'a', 'c']); print(counts) will output Counter({'a': 2, 'b': 1, 'c': 1}).

What are some advantages of using Counter?

Counter provides a simple way to count items, handles missing keys gracefully, and offers useful methods for common tasks.

Are there any performance considerations I should be aware of?

Yes, while Counter is efficient for counting, if you're working with very large datasets, consider using other data structures for optimization.