When should I use sets in data structures?

When should I use sets in data structures?

You should use sets when you need to store unique elements and perform operations like union, intersection, or difference.

Can you give me an example of when a set would be more beneficial than a list?

Sure! If you're tracking unique user IDs, a set prevents duplicates automatically, while a list would require extra checks.

What are the performance benefits of using sets?

Sets offer average O(1) time complexity for lookups, insertions, and deletions, making them faster than lists for these operations.

Are there any downsides to using sets?

Yes, sets do not maintain order and can consume more memory than lists, especially for small collections.

How do I convert a list to a set in Python?

You can convert a list to a set in Python using the set() function, like this: my_set = set(my_list).