Python Generators
Python generators are a special type of function that allow you to iterate over a sequence of values lazily, using the 'yield' keyword to produce values one at a time and pause execution between yields. They are memory-efficient for handling large datasets or infinite sequences because they generate values on-the-fly rather than storing them all in memory at once. Generators are a core feature of Python's iteration protocol and are commonly used in data processing, streaming, and asynchronous programming contexts.
Developers should learn Python generators when working with large datasets, streaming data, or infinite sequences where memory efficiency is critical, such as in data pipelines, log file processing, or real-time data feeds. They are also essential for implementing coroutines in asynchronous programming with asyncio, enabling non-blocking I/O operations. Use generators to simplify iteration logic, create custom iterators without implementing the full iterator protocol, and improve performance in memory-constrained environments.