Python Data Structures Overview

A comprehensive set of flashcards summarizing key concepts related to Python data structures including lists, tuples, sets, and dictionaries, as well as their properties and basic operations.

List

An ordered, mutable collection that allows duplicates.

Tuple

An ordered, immutable collection best used for fixed-size records.

Set

An unordered collection that does not allow duplicates, best for fast membership tests.

Dictionary

An ordered collection that maps keys to values, where keys must be immutable.

List Slicing

The syntax for slicing a list is lst[start: stop : step], where 'stop' is exclusive.

List Comprehension

A concise way to create lists using a syntax of [expression for var in iterable].

Append

To add an item to the end of a list using lst.append(x).

Insert

To add an item at a specific index in a list using lst.insert(i, x).

Remove

To delete an item from a list by value using lst.remove(x).

Pop

To remove an item from a list by index using lst.pop(i), defaulting to the last item.

Accessing elements

Access an element in a list using its index, e.g., lst[2] for the element at index 2.

Union of Sets

Combining two sets with the operator '|'.

Intersection of Sets

Finding common elements in two sets with the operator '&'.

Mutable

An attribute describing a data type that can be changed after creation.

Immutable

An attribute describing a data type that cannot be changed after creation.

Fast Membership Test

A property of sets that allows checking for the existence of an item quickly.