Difference between Python's Generators and Iterators

Question

What is the difference between iterators and generators? Some examples for when you would use each case would be helpful.

Answer 1

Generator Function, Generator Object, Generator:

A Generator function is just like a regular function in Python but it contains one or more yield statements. Generator functions is a great tool to create Iterator objects as easy as possible. The Iterator object returend by generator function is also called Generator object or Generator.

In this example I have created a Generator function which returns a Generator object . Just like other iterators, Generator objects can be used in a for loop or with the built-in function next() which returns the next value from generator.

def fib(max):
    a, b = 0, 1
    for i in range(max):
        yield a
        a, b = b, a + b
print(fib(10))             #

for i in fib(10):
    print(i)               # 0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34


print(next(myfib))         #0
print(next(myfib))         #1
print(next(myfib))         #1
print(next(myfib))         #2

So a generator function is the easiest way to create an Iterator object.

Iterator:

Every generator object is an iterator but not vice versa. A custom iterator object can be created if its class implements __iter__ and __next__ method (also called iterator protocol).

However, it is much easier to use generators function to create iterators because they simplify their creation, but a custom Iterator gives you more freedom and you can also implement other methods according to your requirements as shown in the below example.

class Fib:
    def __init__(self,max):
        self.current=0
        self.next=1
        self.max=max
        self.count=0

    def __iter__(self):
        return self

    def __next__(self):
        if self.count>self.max:
            raise StopIteration
        else:
            self.current,self.next=self.next,(self.current+self.next)
            self.count+=1
            return self.next-self.current

    def __str__(self):
        return "Generator object"

itobj=Fib(4)
print(itobj)               #Generator object

for i in Fib(4):  
    print(i)               #0 1 1 2

print(next(itobj))         #0
print(next(itobj))         #1
print(next(itobj))         #1