Mastering Python Data Structures: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction:
Python is a versatile programming language that offers a wide range of data structures to efficiently store and manipulate data. In this article, we'll delve into the fundamental data structures in Python, including variables, lists, data types, tuples, strings, conditional statements, and dictionaries. We'll also explore functions, classes, and child classes.
Variables and Data Types
In Python, variables are used to store values. The basic data types include:
Integer
age = 25
Float
height = 175.5
String
name = "John Doe"
Boolean
is_admin = True
is_admin = False
Lists
Lists are ordered collections of items that can be of any data type.
Create a list
fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
Accessing list elements
print(fruits[0])
Output: apple
List methods
fruits.append("orange")
fruits.remove("banana")
print(fruits)
Output: ["apple", "cherry", "orange"]
Tuples
Tuples are immutable ordered collections.
Create a tuple
colors = ("red", "green", "blue")
Accessing tuple elements
print(colors[0])
Output: red
Strings
Strings are sequences of characters.
Create a string
greeting = "Hello, World!"
String methods
print(greeting.upper())
Output: HELLO, WORLD!
print(greeting.split(","))
Output: ["Hello", " World!"]
Conditional Statements
Conditional statements control the flow of your program.
If_else statement
age = 25
if age >= 18:
print("You're an adult")
else:
print("You're a minor")
Dictionaries
Dictionaries store key-value pairs.
Create a dictionary
person = {"name": "John", "age": 25}
Accessing dictionary values
print(person["name"])
Output: John
Dictionary methods
person["country"] = "USA"
print(person)
Output: {"name": "John", "age": 25, "country": "USA"}
Functions
Functions encapsulate reusable code.
Define a function
def greet(name):
print(f"Hello, {name}!")
Call the function
greet("John")
Output: Hello, John!
Classes and Child Classes
Classes define custom data structures.
Parent class
class Vehicle:
def __init_ (self, brand, model):
self.brand = brand
self.model = model
Child class
class Car(Vehicle):
def __init_(self, brand, model, doors):
super().__init_(brand, model)
self.doors = doors
Create an instance
my_car = Car("Toyota", "Corolla", 4)
print(my_car.brand)
Output: Toyota
print(my_car.model)
Output: Corolla
print(my_car.doors)
Output: 4
Conclusion
Mastering Python data structures is crucial for efficient programming. By understanding variables, lists, tuples, strings, conditional statements, dictionaries, functions, classes, and child classes, you'll be able to tackle complex problems with ease.
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