What is Python Iterator (Syntax & Example) – Create your own Iterator

In this Python Iterator Tutorial, we will learn what is Python iterator.

We will also discuss how to create our own __iter__() and __next__() methods, building a python iterator, for loop in python iterator, infinite python iterator, and benefits of an iterator in python with an example.

In our article on python in-built functions, one function we saw was iter(). Let us generate an iterator in python, which we traversed using the next() function.

S, let’s start Python Iterator Tutorial.

What is Python Iterator (Syntax & Example) – Create your own Iterator

What are Python3 Iterators?

An iterator in Python programming language is an object which you can iterate upon. That is, it returns one object at a time.

Python Iterator, implicitly implemented in constructs like for-loops, comprehensions, and python generators.

The iter() and next() functions collectively form the iterator protocol.

If we can get iterable from an object in python, it is iterable. Examples include python lists, python tuples, and python strings.

How to Create Python Iterator?

To build a python3 iterator, we use the iter() and next() functions. Let’s begin with iter() to create an iterator.

First, we create a list of events to store even numbers from 2 to 10.

>>> evens=[2,4,6,8,10]

Then, we apply the iter() function to this Python list to create a Python iterator object. We store it in the variable evenIterator.

>>> evenIterator=iter(evens)
>>> evenIterator

Output

Remember, it does not have to be a list you create an iterator on.

>>> iter((1,3,2))

Output

Now, to access the first element, we apply the function next() on the Python iterator object.

>>> next(evenIterator)

Output

We do the same for the next element(s) as well.

>>> next(evenIterator)

Output

>>> next(evenIterator)

Output

>>> next(evenIterator)

Output

>>> next(evenIterator)

Output

We have reached the end of the list. When we call it once more, we raise a StopIteration error (exception). The interpreter internally catches it.

>>> next(evenIterator)

Output

• __next__()

You can also traverse the Python iterator using the __next__() method.

>>> nums=[1,2,3]
>>> numIter=iter(nums)
>>> numIter.__next__()

Output

>>> next(numIter)

Output

>>> numIter.__next__()

Output

>>> numIter.__next__()

Output

We can see this with the dir() function we saw in in-built functions in Python.

>>> dir(numIter)

Output

For-loop in Python Iterator

You can also use a for loop in python to iterate on an iterable like a python list or a python tuple.

>>> for i in 'Python':
                print(i)

Output

But how is this actually implemented? Let’s take a look.

>>> iter_obj=iter('Python')
>>> while True:
                try:
                                i=next(iter_obj)
                                print(i)
                except StopIteration:
                                break

Output

So, this is how the above for loop is actually implemented.

How to Create Your Own Python Iterator?

Now you know how to use an iterator with the iter() and next() functions. But we won’t stop here. We will now start from scratch.

We implement the following class to create an iterator in Python for squares of numbers from 1 to max.

>>> class PowTwo:
                def __init__(self,max=0):
                                self.max=max
                def __iter__(self):
                                self.n=0
                                return self
                def __next__(self):
                                if self.n<=self.max:
                                                result=2**self.n
                                                self.n+=1
                                                return result
                                else:
                                                raise StopIteration

Here, __init__() is to take the value of max. Then, we create a python object ‘a’ of the class, with the argument 4.

Then, we create an iterator in Python using iter(). Next, we use the next() function to get the elements one by one.

>>> a=PowTwo(4)
>>> i=iter(a)
>>> next(i)

Output

>>> next(i)

Output

>>> next(i)

Output

>>> next(i)

Output

>>> next(i)

Output

>>> next(i)

Output

Alternatively, you can use the __iter__() and __next__() methods for this object.

>>> j=a.__iter__()
>>> j.__next__()

Output

>>> j.__next__()

Output

>>> j.__next__()

Output

>>> j.__next__()

Output

>>> j.__next__()

Output

>>> j.__next__()

Output

Internally, the iter() function calls the __iter__() method.

Infinite Python3 Iterator

It is indeed possible to create an iterator in Python that never exhausts. The iter() function can take another argument, called the ‘sentinel’, it keeps a watch.

As long as the first value isn’t the same as the sentinel, the Python iterator does not exhaust.

We know that the int() function, without a parameter, returns 0.

>>> int()

Now, we call iter() on two arguments- int and 1.

>>> a=iter(int,1)

This Python iterator will never exhaust; it is infinite. This is because 0 is never equal to 1.

>>> next(a)

>>> next(a)

>>> next(a)

>>> next(a)

>>> next(a)

And so on.

To create an infinite Python iterator using a class, take the following example.

>>> class Even:
                def __iter__(self):
                                self.num=2
                                return self
                def __next__(self):
                                num=self.num
                                self.num+=2
                                return num             
>>> e=Even()
>>> i=iter(e)
>>> next(i)

Output

>>> next(i)

Output

>>> next(i)

Output

>>> next(i)

Output

This python iterates on even numbers beginning at 2, ending nowhere. So, you must be careful to include a terminating condition.

Benefits of Python Iterator

An iterator in python saves resources. To get all the elements, only one element is stored in the memory at a time. Unlike this, a list would have to store all the values at once.

Python Interview Questions on Iterators

1. What are Python Iterators?
2. Why Iterator is used in Python?
3. How do you write an Iterator in Python?
4. What is iterator and iterable in Python?
5. Why is iteration important in Python?

Conclusion

In this article, we learned about python iterators. Aren’t they fun and super-handy? An iterator makes use of two functions- iter() and next().

However, we can make our own iterator in python with a python class. Finally, we looked at infinite iterators.