Yogesh Tyagi
@ytyagi782
Dictionary
in Python
ehensive Guide
A Compr
Yogesh Tyagi
@ytyagi782
Dictionaries in Python: A
Comprehensive Guide
Learn how to efficiently store, access, and
manipulate key-value pairs using Python
dictionaries.
Yogesh Tyagi
@ytyagi782
What is a Dictionary in
Python?
A dictionary is a collection data type in Python that
stores data in key-value pairs.
Ordered: Unique identifiers that must be immutable (e.g.,
strings, numbers, tuples).
Values: Data associated with keys, which can be of any
data type.
Example
Dictionaries are They are
Key unordered (until mutable, allowing Fast lookups
Python 3.7; now modification of
Features they maintain keys and values.
using keys.
insertion order).
Yogesh Tyagi
@ytyagi782
Creating a Dictionary
Using Curly Braces ({})
Using the dict() Constructor
Creating an Empty Dictionary
From a List of Tuples
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@ytyagi782
Accessing Dictionary
Values
Access dictionary values using their keys
with square brackets or the get() method.
Examples
Key Notes
Using a nonexistent key with square brackets raises a KeyError.
The get() method allows specifying a default value if the key doesn’t exist
Yogesh Tyagi
@ytyagi782
Adding and Modifying
Elements
Dictionaries are mutable, so you can
add or update key-value pairs.
Examples
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@ytyagi782
Removing Elements
from a Dictionary
Python provides multiple ways to remove
elements from a dictionary.
Removes a key and
Using pop() returns its value.
Deletes a key-
Using del value pair.
Removes the last
Using inserted key-value
popitem() pair (from Python
3.7+).
Removes all
Using clear() elements from
the dictionary.
Yogesh Tyagi
@ytyagi782
Checking for Keys in a
Dictionary
Use the in operator to check if a key exists in a
dictionary.
Examples
Key Notes:
The in operator checks for keys, not values.
Yogesh Tyagi
@ytyagi782
Iterating Through a
Dictionary
Dictionaries can be iterated to access keys,
values, or both.
Iterate over keys
Iterate over values
Iterate over key-value pairs
Yogesh Tyagi
@ytyagi782
Dictionary Methods
Dictionaries can be iterated to
access keys, values, or both.
Method Description Example
Returns all keys in the
keys() dictionary.
person.keys() → dict_keys(['name', 'age'])
values() Returns all values in the person.values() → dict_values(['Alice', 30])
dictionary.
Returns all key-value person.items() → dict_items([('name', 'Alice'),
items() pairs as tuples. ('age', 30)])
Updates dictionary with
update() another dictionary.
person.update({"city": "New York"})
Returns a shallow copy of
update() the dictionary.
new_person = person.copy()
Yogesh Tyagi
@ytyagi782
Dictionary
Comprehension
Dictionary comprehensions provide a concise
way to create dictionaries.
Syntax
Examples
1. Create a dictionary of squares:
2. Filter a dictionary:
Yogesh Tyagi
@ytyagi782
Nested Dictionaries
Dictionaries can contain other dictionaries,
allowing hierarchical data representation.
Examples
1. Create a dictionary of squares:
Use Cases: Representing structured data like
JSON.
Yogesh Tyagi
@ytyagi782
Merging Dictionaries
From Python 3.9+, use the | operator to merge
dictionaries.
Example
For earlier versions, use update().
Yogesh Tyagi
@ytyagi782
Common Errors with
Dictionaries
Tuples are iterable, allowing you to use loops to
access their elements.
KeyError:
Accessing a nonexistent key.
TypeError:
Using mutable types as keys.
ValueError:
Misusing methods like update().
Best Practices
Use .get() to avoid KeyError.
Ensure keys are immutable.
Yogesh Tyagi
@ytyagi782
Use Cases for
Dictionaries
Tuples are iterable, allowing you to use loops to
access their elements.
1. Storing Data with Unique Identifiers:
Example: A phone book with names as keys and numbers as values.
2. Counting Occurrences:
Example: Counting word frequency in a string.
3. Mapping Relationships:
Example: Representing graph nodes and edges.
Yogesh Tyagi
@ytyagi782
Wrap-Up
"Master Dictionaries for Efficient Data
Management in Python"
Dictionaries are a versatile and powerful data structure for
managing key-value pairs. With features like nested
dictionaries, comprehension, and fast lookups, they are
essential for Python programming. Practice using dictionaries
in real-world scenarios for better understanding!
Yogesh Tyagi
@ytyagi782
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