A list in Python is a collection of values (also known as elements) that are ordered and changeable.
Here are some examples: To Define a List, Accessing Elements of a list, Loop thru a list
# Defining a list
fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
# Accessing elements
print(fruits[0]) # Output: apple
# Modifying elements
fruits[0] = "mango"
print(fruits) # Output: ['mango', 'banana', 'cherry']
# Loop through a list
for fruit in fruits:
print(fruit)
# Check if item exists in list
if "banana" in fruits:
print("Yes, 'banana' is in the list")
# List length
print(len(fruits)) # Output: 3
# Add elements to a list
fruits.append("orange")
print(fruits) # Output: ['mango', 'banana', 'cherry', 'orange']
# Remove elements from a list
fruits.remove("banana")
print(fruits) # Output: ['mango', 'cherry', 'orange']
# Sort a list
fruits.sort()
print(fruits) # Output: ['cherry', 'mango', 'orange']
Lists in Python have several built-in methods that can be used to manipulate the data stored in the list.
Here are some of the most commonly used list methods along with examples:
append(item): Adds an item to the end of the list.
fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
fruits.append('mango')
print(fruits) # Output: ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry', 'mango']
insert(index, item): Inserts an item at a specific index.
fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
fruits.insert(1, 'mango')
print(fruits) # Output: ['apple', 'mango', 'banana', 'cherry']
extend(list): Adds the elements of another list to the end of the original list.
fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
new_fruits = ['mango', 'grapes']
fruits.extend(new_fruits)
print(fruits) # Output: ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry', 'mango', 'grapes']
remove(item): Removes the first occurrence of an item from the list.
fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
fruits.remove('banana')
print(fruits) # Output: ['apple', 'cherry']
pop(index): Removes the item at a specific index and returns its value. If no index is specified, it removes the last item.
fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
fruits.pop(1)
print(fruits) # Output: ['apple', 'cherry']
index(item): Returns the index of the first occurrence of an item in the list.
fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
print(fruits.index('banana')) # Output: 1
count(item): Returns the number of occurrences of an item in the list.
fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry', 'banana']
print(fruits.count('banana')) # Output: 2
sort(): Sorts the items in the list in ascending order.
fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
fruits.sort()
print(fruits) # Output: ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
reverse(): Reverses the order of the items in the list.
fruits = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
fruits.reverse()
print(fruits) # Output: ['cherry', 'banana', 'apple']Previous Chapter – Taking User Inputs Next Chapter – Tuple
Ankit Srivastava is an IT trainer, technology educator, and digital skills mentor with expertise in programming, data analytics, AI, and software development. He has successfully trained thousands of learners, with more than 10,000 student enrollments on Udemy. His practical teaching approach empowers students and professionals to build in-demand technical skills. Colorstech channel where Ankit posts video tutorials has more than 8000 Subscribers.
