When should I use sets in Python?

When should I use sets in Python?

You should use sets in Python when you need a collection of unique items, or when you want to perform mathematical set operations.

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

Sure! If you want to store a list of unique user IDs from a database, a set would be ideal because it automatically handles duplicates.

What are the performance benefits of using sets?

Sets offer average O(1) time complexity for membership tests, making them faster than lists for checking if an item exists.

Are there any downsides to using sets?

Yes, sets are unordered, so you can't access elements by index, and they also require more memory than lists.