What is the difference between range and xrange functions in Python 2.X?

Question

Apparently xrange is faster but I have no idea why it\'s faster (and no proof besides the anecdotal so far that it is faster) or what besides that is different about

Answer 1

On a requirement for scanning/printing of 0-N items , range and xrange works as follows.

range() - creates a new list in the memory and takes the whole 0 to N items(totally N+1) and prints them. xrange() - creates a iterator instance that scans through the items and keeps only the current encountered item into the memory , hence utilising same amount of memory all the time.

In case the required element is somewhat at the beginning of the list only then it saves a good amount of time and memory.