Python Binary Strings vs Byte Arrays
In Python, binary strings ("bytes") and byte arrays ("bytearray") are different, although both represent sequences of bytes (0-255).
Key Differences Between "bytes" and "bytearray"
| Feature | "bytes" (Binary String) | "bytearray" (Mutable Byte Array) |
|---|---|---|
| Mutability | Immutable (Cannot be modified) | Mutable (Can modify in-place) |
| Type | "bytes" (Scalar) | "bytearray" (Mutable Sequence) |
| Storage | Fixed, contiguous memory block | Mutable memory block |
| Indexing | Returns an "int" (0-255) | Returns an "int" (0-255) |
| Slicing | Returns a "bytes" object | Returns a "bytearray" object |
| Performance | Faster & memory-efficient | Slightly slower due to mutability |
| Use Cases | File I/O, cryptography, sockets | Byte-wise modification, memory buffer |
Binary String
A "bytes" object is an immutable sequence of bytes.
Creating a "bytes" Object
binary_string = bytes([0, 1, 2, 3, 4]) print(binary_string) # Output: b'\x00\x01\x02\x03\x04'
Immutable: Cannot Modify In-Place
binary_string[0] = 255 # TypeError: 'bytes' object does not support item assignment
Solution: If you need to modify it, convert to "bytearray".
Byte Array
A "bytearray" is similar to "bytes", but modifiable.
Creating a "bytearray"
byte_arr = bytearray([0, 1, 2, 3, 4]) print(byte_arr) # Output: bytearray(b'\x00\x01\x02\x03\x04')
Can Modify In-Place
byte_arr[0] = 255 # Change first byte print(byte_arr) # Output: bytearray(b'\xff\x01\x02\x03\x04')