Flatten an irregular (arbitrarily nested) list of lists
Delve into recursive functions and turn a nested list into a single-layer list without breaking a sweat:
Now go ahead, apply this magic spell (a.k.a. code snippet) to flatten any level of list complication.
Python-oriented techniques for flattening
Generator functions: for the performance buffs
Boost performance with generators that feed items one by one:
Iterable types: more than just lists
Lists aren't everything. Tuples drop by too. Handle them well:
Real world prep: edge cases
Empty sublists and non-iterables, beware. We handle you too:
Deep explorations in flattening
Iterable checks: Deciphering the magic incantation
In the method, isinstance(element, Iterable)
, we inspect if we can iterate over objects and avoid splitting strings into characters by excluding string-like objects.
In-place flattening: For the brave souls only
In-place flattening is when you live life on the edge: modify original lists to conserve memory. Handle with care!
Recursive vs iterative flattening: Choose your fighter
Recursive flattening is great for readability and dealing with deeply nested lists. But beware, there's a limit to your recursion depth in Python. For ultra-deep nests, bring in the iterative approach!
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