Range() vs. Xrange() Functions in Python

When it comes to the Python programming language, the key difference between the range() and xrange() functions lies in their implementation and usage.

range() Function:

The range() function in Python returns a list of numbers within a specified range. It is commonly used in Python 3 and above to generate a sequence of numbers efficiently. However, it consumes more memory as it returns a list.

xrange() Function:

On the other hand, the xrange() function is primarily used in Python 2 for generating a sequence of numbers. Unlike range(), xrange() returns an iterator object instead of a list. This results in better memory efficiency when working with a large range of numbers.

It's important to note that in Python 3, where the xrange() function has been removed and range() behaves like the xrange() function of Python 2, providing better memory efficiency.

Therefore, when considering the difference between range() and xrange() functions in Python, it ultimately boils down to the memory efficiency and the type of object returned.