Difference between Python lists and arrays?

[shivanis09]

While both lists and arrays can store collections of items in Python, there are some key differences between them:

Mutability:

Lists: Mutable, meaning you can change the elements in a list after it's created. You can add, remove, or modify elements within the list.
Arrays: In Python, arrays are generally less common than lists. The standard library module array offers arrays, but these are mutable. However, libraries like NumPy provide arrays that are immutable.
Data Types:

Lists: Heterogeneous, meaning they can store elements of different data types (e.g., integers, strings, booleans) within the same list.
Arrays: Homogeneous, meaning all elements in an array must be of the same data type. This ensures efficient memory allocation and operations specific to that data type.
Memory Management:

Lists: Use dynamic memory allocation, meaning the size of the list can grow or shrink as needed at runtime. This flexibility can be less memory-efficient for very large datasets.
Arrays: Have a fixed size defined at creation. This can be more memory-efficient for large datasets of the same data type, but it limits the ability to resize the array later.
Performance:

Lists: Generally slower for certain operations like accessing elements by index or iterating through the list, especially for larger lists.
Arrays: Can be faster for random access by index and iterating, particularly for large datasets of the same data type, due to their contiguous memory allocation. However, inserting or removing elements can be slower for arrays.
Common Use Cases:

Lists: Preferred for general-purpose collections where data types might vary, and the ability to add, remove, or modify elements is needed. They are often used for temporary data storage or working with mixed data types.
Arrays: More suitable for numerical computations or scientific applications where you have large datasets of the same data type and performance is critical. Libraries like NumPy offer efficient array operations specifically designed for numerical computing.

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