* candide:
Suppose a and b are lists.

What is more efficient in order to extend the list a by appending all the items in the list b ?


I imagine a.extend(b)to be more efficient for only appendinding the items from b while a+=b creates a copy of a before appending, right ?

No.

But in general, if you're concerned about efficiency, *measure*.

And keep in mind that measurement results may only be applicable to a given Python implementation, for given data, in a given environment...

In most cases you'll do better by focusing on algorithmic efficiency rather than low level operational efficiency.

Also keep in mind that when or if operational efficiency becomes an issue, then for Python the answer is in general to use functionality (modules) implemented in other languages. Python is not designed with operational efficiency as a goal. It's designed as an easy language.


Cheers & hth.,

- Alf
--
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list

Reply via email to