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A Python list is one of the six built-in sequence types of Python provides for storing data. Together with the linear sequence, the Python list operates as a dynamic array and offers several built-in functions that let you execute different operations on the stored data.
In this article, you’ll learn ‘what a list is in Python,’ how to create a Python list, an example, and much more. From Python list elements to their functions, this article covers it all. So, read till the end.
Python lists are the fundamental and undoubtedly the most widely used container. Here is a listicle that can better explain what a list is in Python.
Now that we have understood What is a Python List, lets look at how to create Python List. A list is made by inserting the elements/items between square brackets ([ ]) while separating them with commas (,). Let’s look at several various approaches to generating lists in Python.
Moreover, a list with numerous additional lists as its contents can be created is called a nested list. The numerous lists are divided by commas (,) to form the nested list, which is enclosed in square brackets ([ ]).
Every item in a Python list comes with a unique number assigned to it in Python. The figure is often referred to as a list index. When retrieving elements of an array, one can use index numbers (0, 1, 2, …).
The slicing operator: Python allows you to access a subset of the list’s items rather than just one.
In this case, your list[2:5] returns a list containing entries ranging in the index from 2 to 4.
A list of elements from index 1 to the end is returned by your list[5:]. All list elements are returned by your list[:]. It should be noted that the start index is inclusive. However, the end index is exclusive whenever you slice lists.
Python list offers various unique approaches to adding items to a list:
Using Append():
You can add an item to the Python list using the append() method.
For instance, numbers = [17, 36, 71, 27] print("Before Append:", numbers) numbers.append(56) print("After Append:", numbers) Output Result: Before Append: [17, 36, 71, 27] After Append: [17, 36, 71, 27, 56]
The above example of Python list functions demonstrates a list named numbers. Here, numbers.append(56). The append() command adds 56 at the array’s end.
Using Extend():
To add all items of a single list to another, you can use the extend() method. For instance,
prime_numbers = [7, 11, 13] print("List1:", prime_numbers) even_numbers = [6,8,10] print("List2:", even_numbers) # join two lists prime_numbers.extend(even_numbers) print("List after append:", prime_numbers) OUTPUT RESULT: List1: [7, 11, 13] List2: [6, 8, 10] List after append: [7, 11, 13, 6, 8, 10]
Here, you have two lists titled even_numbers and prime_numbers and even_numbers. Keep a note that,
prime_numbers.extend(even_numbers)
In Python, you can utilize the del statement to eliminate or remove a single or more items from a Python list. For instances,
In Python, you can leverage the del statement to remove or eliminate one or more items from a list. For
instance, languages = [‘Swift’, ‘Python’, ‘C’, C++’, ‘Rust’, Java’, ‘R’] # deleting the second item del languages[1] print(languages) # [‘Python’, ‘C’, C++’, ‘Rust’, Java’, ‘R’] # deleting the very last item del languages[-1] print(languages) # [‘Python’, ‘C’, C++’, ‘Rust’, Java’] # deleting the first two items del languages[0 : 2] # [C++’, ‘Rust’, Java’] print(languages)
You can use the remove() method when deleting a Python list item.
For instance, languages = [‘Swift’, ‘Python’, ‘C’, ‘C++’, ‘Rust’, ‘Java’, ‘R’] # Removing ‘Swift’ from the Python list languages.remove(‘Swift’) print(languages) # [‘Python’, ‘C’, ‘C++’, ‘Rust’, ‘Java’, ‘R’]
Here, languages.remove(‘Swift’) removes ‘Swift’ from the languages list.
After understanding what is a Python List, lets learn more about the major characteristics of List.
The wide range of Python list characteristics includes:
Python comes with several valuable list methodologies that simplify working with Python lists. Here is a table representing the various Python list methods.
Method | Definition |
---|---|
clear() | Removing or getting rid of all items from the Python list |
index() | Returning the index of items that matched first |
pop() | Returns and removes (eliminates) items present at the specified index |
insert() | Targeting a specific index to insert an item there |
extend() | Adding items of lists along with other iterables to the list end |
append() | Adding an item or element on the list end |
remove() | Removing or getting rid of items present at the specified index |
copy() | Returning the shallow/duplicate copy of the Python list |
reverse() | Reverses the item of the Python list |
sort() | Sorting the Python list in either descending or ascending order |
count() | Returning the count of the outlined item in the Python list |
Now that we know what is a Python List, lets look into the operations in a Python List.
If you want to repeat the Python list elements several times, you can use the ‘*’ operator.
my_List = [1, 2, 3, 4] print(my_List*3) OUTPUT RESULT: [1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4]
With the ‘+’ operator, a Python list can be concatenated with some other list or itself.
List1 = [11, 12, 13, 14] List2 = [15, 16, 17, 18] concat_List = List1 + List2 print(concat_List) OUTPUT RESULT: [11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]
To get or determine the length of the Python list, use the len() method.
my_List = [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] print (len(my_List)) OUTPUT RESULT: 10
A for loop allows you to traverse repeatedly through every item on the list.
my_List = [6, 7, 8, 9, 10] for n in my_List: print(n) OUTPUT: 6 7 8 9 10
You can determine whether a particular element is a component or a member of a Python list.
my_List = [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10] print(7 in my_List) print(2 in my_List) print(2 not in my_List) OUTPUT RESULT: True False True
Here, you’ll be using [ ] to create a Python list:
Var = [“Python”, “Is”, “The”, “Best”] print(Var) OUTPUT RESULT: Python Is The Best
The most basic containers used in the Python programming language are lists. The most effective tool in Python is the Python list because they don’t necessarily have to be homogeneous.
Data types such as Strings, Integers, and Objects can all be found in one list. Since lists are mutable, changes can be made to them even after they have been created.
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