python - [] and {} vs list() and dict(), which is better?

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I understand that they are both
essentially the same thing, but in terms of style, which is the better (more Pythonic)
one to use to create an empty list or dict?

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class="normal">Answer

In terms of speed, it's no
competition for empty
lists/dicts:

>>> from
            timeit import timeit
>>>
            timeit("[]")
0.040084982867934334
>>>
            timeit("list()")
0.17704233359267718
>>>
            timeit("{}")
0.033620194745424214
>>>
            timeit("dict()")

0.1821558326547077

and
for non-empty:

>>>
            timeit("[1,2,3]")
0.24316302770330367
>>>
            timeit("list((1,2,3))")
0.44744206316727286
>>>
            timeit("list(foo)",
            setup="foo=(1,2,3)")

0.446036018543964
>>>
            timeit("{'a':1, 'b':2, 'c':3}")
0.20868602015059423
>>>
            timeit("dict(a=1, b=2, c=3)")
0.47635635255323905
>>>
            timeit("dict(bar)", setup="bar=[('a', 1), ('b', 2), ('c',
            3)]")
0.9028228448029267

Also,
using the bracket notation lets you use list and dictionary comprehensions, which may be
reason enough.