Generators
Generators are a programming concept that allows functions to produce a sequence of values over time, pausing and resuming execution between yields. They enable lazy evaluation, where values are generated on-demand rather than all at once, which can improve memory efficiency and performance for large or infinite data streams. This concept is implemented in languages like Python, JavaScript, and C# to handle iterative tasks in a more controlled and resource-friendly manner.
Developers should learn generators when working with large datasets, streaming data, or infinite sequences where loading all data into memory at once is impractical or impossible. They are particularly useful for implementing custom iterators, handling asynchronous operations (e.g., in JavaScript with async generators), and simplifying stateful iteration logic, such as in parsing or data processing pipelines. In Python, generators are essential for memory-efficient loops and are a core part of the language's iteration protocol.