DEV Community

Cover image for 11 Python Set Methods
Aya Bouchiha
Aya Bouchiha

Posted on

11 Python Set Methods

Hello, I'm Aya Bouchiha,
on this beautiful day, we'll discuss 11 python set methods.

difference(set)

set_1.difference(set_2): this method helps you to get the difference between two sets, in other words, it lets you get the elements that exist in set_1 and don't exist in the given set (set_2).

# example 1
recepie_requirements = {'orange', 'chocolate', 'salt', 'pepper'}
what_I_have = {'apple', 'banana','salt'}
# I have to buy orange chocolate pepper
print('I have to buy', *recepie_requirements.difference(what_I_have))

# example2
all_subscribers = {"aya", "john", "smith", "sparf", "kyle"}
admins = {"aya", "sparf"}
users = all_subscribers.difference(admins)
# {'kyle', 'smith', 'john'}
print(users) 
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

union(set)

set_1.union(set_2): (set_1 U set_2) this set method returns a set which contains the set_1's elements and also the set_2's elements, In addition, the returned set contains only unique elements.

admins = {'aya', 'sparf'}
users = {'aya','kyle', 'smith', 'john'}

all_subscribers = admins.union(users)

# {'smith', 'aya', 'sparf', 'kyle', 'john'}
print(all_subscribers) 
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

intersection(set)

**set_1.intersection(set_2): returns only the elements that exist in set_1 and set_2.

shop = {'orange', 'pepper', 'banana', 'sugar'}
what_I_have = {'orange', 'sugar'}

# I should not buy {'orange', 'sugar'} because I have them!
print(f'I should not buy {shop.intersection(what_I_have)} because I have them!')
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

issubset()

set_1.issubset(set_2): checks if all set_1's elements exist in set_2.

nearest_library_books = {"the power of now", 'why we sleep', 'rich dad poor dad'}
necessary_books = {'atomic habits','the 48 laws of power', 'why we sleep'}

if necessary_books.issubset(nearest_library_books):
  print('yes, you can buy these books from your nearest library')
else:
  print('unfortunately, you have to go to another library')

# unfortunately, you have to go to another library
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

issuperset()

set_1.issuperset(set_2): checks if all set_2's elements exist in set_1.

nearest_library_books = {"the power of now", 'why we sleep', 'rich dad poor dad'}
necessary_books = {'atomic habits','the 48 laws of power', 'why we sleep'}

if nearest_library_books.issuperset(necessary_books):
  print('yes, you can buy these books from your nearest library')
else:
  print('unfortunately, you have to go to another library')

# unfortunately, you have to go to another library

Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

isdisjoint(set)

isdisjoint(set): checks if the two sets do not contain common elements.

set_1 = {12, 38, 36}
set_2 = {4, 40, 12}
# means can set_1 element - set_2 element == 0 ?
can_substruction_be_zero = set_1.isdisjoint(set_2)
print(can_substruction_be_zero) # False
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

discard(value), remove(value), pop()

pop(): deletes a random element from a set.
discard(value): deletes a specified element in a set without raising an error if It does not exist.
remove(value): deletes a specified element in a set, and raises an error if It is not exists

users = {"Aya Bouchiha", "John Doe", "Kyle Smith", "Nabo Snay"}
deleted_account = 'Aya Bouchiha'

users.discard(deleted_account)
users.discard('Hi!')
print(users) # {'Kyle Smith', 'John Doe', 'Nabo Snay'}

users.remove('Kyle Smith') 
print(users) # {'Nabo Snay', 'John Doe'}

users.pop()
print(users) # {'John Doe'}

users.remove('Hello!') # KeyError
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

clear()

clear(): helps you to delete all set methods.

countries = {'Morocco', 'UK', 'Spain', 'USA', 'UK'}

print(len(countries)) # 4

countries.clear()

print(countries) # set()
print(len(countries)) # 0
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

copy

copy(): this method lets you get a copy of the specified set of elements

countries = {'Morocco', 'UK', 'Spain', 'USA', 'UK'}

print(countries) # {'UK', 'Morocco', 'Spain', 'USA'}
print(countries.copy()) # {'UK', 'Morocco', 'Spain', 'USA'}
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Summary

  • set_1.difference(set_2): returns the difference between two sets.
  • set_1.union(set_2): (set_1 U set_2) returns a set which contains the set_1's elements and also the set_2's elements, In addition, the returned set contains only unique elements.
  • set_1.intersection(set_2): returns only the elements that exist in set_1 and set_2.
  • set_1.issuperset(set_2): checks if all set_2's elements exist in set_1.
  • set_1.issubset(set_2): checks if all set_1's elements exist in set_2.
  • isdisjoint(set): checks if the two sets does not contains common elements.
  • pop(): deletes a random element from a set.
  • discard(value): deletes a specified element in a set without rasing an error if It is not exists.
  • remove(value): deletes a specified element in a set, and rases an error if It is not exists
  • clear(): deletes all set methods.
  • copy(): returns a copy of the specified set elements

Reference

Suggested Posts

To Contact Me:

Happy codding!

Top comments (0)