Question 1

What is the difference between a list and a tuple in Python?

Accepted Answer

A list is mutable, so you can add, remove or change items after creating it. A tuple is immutable, so its contents cannot change after creation. Use a list for a collection that changes, such as a batch of documents you are still processing. Use a tuple for fixed data, such as a pair of coordinates or a record that should never change. Tuples can also be dictionary keys, while lists cannot.

Question 2

What is a generator in Python, and why use one?

Accepted Answer

A generator is a function that uses yield to produce values one at a time, instead of building a full list in memory. It is useful when you process large data, such as reading a big file or streaming chunks of documents. The generator yields each item when it is requested, so memory use stays low. Once you have consumed the values, they are not kept, so a generator can only be looped over once.