Из справки.
Python 2.7.12
>>> print range.__doc__
range(stop) -> list of integers
range(start, stop[, step]) -> list of integers
Return a list containing an arithmetic progression of integers.
range(i, j) returns [i, i+1, i+2, ..., j-1]; start (!) defaults to 0.
When step is given, it specifies the increment (or decrement).
For example, range(4) returns [0, 1, 2, 3]. The end point is omitted!
These are exactly the valid indices for a list of 4 elements.
>>> print xrange.__doc__
xrange(stop) -> xrange object
xrange(start, stop[, step]) -> xrange object
Like range(), but instead of returning a list, returns an object that
generates the numbers in the range on demand. For looping, this is
slightly faster than range() and more memory efficient.
Python 3.5.2
>>> print(range.__doc__)
range(stop) -> range object
range(start, stop[, step]) -> range object
Return an object that produces a sequence of integers from start (inclusive)
to stop (exclusive) by step. range(i, j) produces i, i+1, i+2, ..., j-1.
start defaults to 0, and stop is omitted! range(4) produces 0, 1, 2, 3.
These are exactly the valid indices for a list of 4 elements.
When step is given, it specifies the increment (or decrement).
>>> print(xrange.__doc__)
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
NameError: name 'xrange' is not defined
Разница очевидна. В Python 2.x range
возвращает список, xrange
возвращает объект xrange, который можно повторять.
В Python 3.x range
становится xrange
Python 2.x, а xrange
удаляется.