An Introduction to Generators and Iterators in Python

In this post, we'll take a look at what generators and iterators are in Python and how they can be used to make our code more efficient and readable.

Generators in Python

Generators are a special type of function that allow us to generate a sequence of values over time. They are created using the yield keyword, and every time the generator is called, it returns the next value in the sequence until there are no more values to return.

Iterators in Python

An iterator is an object that can be iterated (looped) upon. An object which will return data, one element at a time when next() is called on it. They are implemented as a class that has two special methods, __iter__() and __next__(), which make an object an iterator.

In Python, all built-in data types that are iterable are automatically equipped with an iterator and can be used in a for loop.

Conclusion

In conclusion, generators and iterators are a powerful tool for creating efficient and readable code in Python. Understanding their implementation and use cases is an important part of mastering the Python programming language.