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Python Introducing Lists Using Lists Mutability

Abdullah Jassim
Abdullah Jassim
4,551 Points
Posted by Abdullah Jassim
Abdullah Jassim
4,551 Points

I ran this code without .copy() and the code still works. What am I missing?

books = [
    "Automate the Boring Stuff with Python: Practical Programming for Total Beginners - Al Sweigart",
    "Python for Data Analysis",
    "Fluent Python: Clear, Concise, and Effective Programming - Luciano Ramalho",
    "Python for Kids: A Playful Introduction To Programming - Jason R. Briggs",
    "Hello Web App: Learn How to Build a Web App - Tracy Osborn",
]

games = [
    "Metal Gear Solid",
    "Legend of Zelda",
    "Mario Kart",
    "Splinter Cell"
]

def display_wishlist(category, wishes):  
    print(category + ":")
    suggested_book = wishes.pop()
    print("======>", suggested_book, "<======")
    for wish in wishes:
        print("* " + wish)
    print()

display_wishlist("Books", books)
display_wishlist("Games", games)
Istvan Nonn
Istvan Nonn
2,092 Points
Istvan Nonn
Istvan Nonn
2,092 Points

What I think is that your code is written in a text editor and saved in a .py file. And for testing the code you are using a terminal. In this case I can imagine the result will be the same every time you test your code.

4 Answers

Viraj Deshaval
Viraj Deshaval
4,874 Points
Viraj Deshaval
Viraj Deshaval
4,874 Points

I want to give you a reason why there is a need of copy(). Issue: When we try to loop through the list and remove the values using '. remove() or pop()' values gets shifted and due to which all values cannot be deleted.

Solution: we can use copy() to overcome this issue. This will be helpful to you. Let me know if you still require any help.

Abdullah Jassim
Abdullah Jassim
4,551 Points
Abdullah Jassim
Abdullah Jassim
4,551 Points

Thanks for the note. I understand how pop() modifies the list and hence all values will not be deleted. I wanted to see that in practice and hence I wrote the code above. However, when I ran the code several times, .pop() is supposed to give me a different of values for both games and books, but it doesnt. Which is why I am a bit confused as to what I may be doing wrong.

Viraj Deshaval
Viraj Deshaval
4,874 Points
Viraj Deshaval
Viraj Deshaval
4,874 Points

Ok let me give you an example. Suppose you remove values from the list without copy: items = ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd']

for item in items: items.remove(item)

print(items) Output : ['b', 'd']

This did not removed all values. Now I will use copy.

items = ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd']

for item in items.copy(): items.remove(item)

print(items) Output : []

So now all values were removed. What happened is we have copy of our items list which we will use for referencing the values of original items list and as we don't remove items from copied list values will not be shifted and list doesn't gets changed. Just remember copied list to reference original list. I hope I have cleared the doubt of yours. Let me know if you still require any help. Happy to help.

Kyler Aagard
Kyler Aagard
1,331 Points
Kyler Aagard
Kyler Aagard
1,331 Points

I’m new to this so I may be wrong, but I think you use .copy() because the list you started with is sort of a master list. So when you use .pop() you are changing the master list. So it is saying, of the things that are possible to be on this list, take one off. With .copy() it is saying, make a copy of the master list and display it with new parameters.

Michael Dioszeghy
Michael Dioszeghy
2,412 Points
Michael Dioszeghy
Michael Dioszeghy
2,412 Points

I'm new to this and may be wrong, but the code will work fine until you call the display_wishlist("Games", games) again. in the same program.

if you have something like this:

books = [ "Automate the Boring Stuff with Python: Practical Programming for Total Beginners - Al Sweigart", "Python for Data Analysis", "Fluent Python: Clear, Concise, and Effective Programming - Luciano Ramalho", "Python for Kids: A Playful Introduction To Programming - Jason R. Briggs", "Hello Web App: Learn How to Build a Web App - Tracy Osborn", ]

games = [ "Metal Gear Solid", "Legend of Zelda", "Mario Kart", "Splinter Cell" ]

def display_wishlist(category, wishes):
print(category + ":") suggested_book = wishes.pop() print("======>", suggested_book, "<======") for wish in wishes: print("* " + wish) print()

display_wishlist("Books", books) display_wishlist("Games", games) display_wishlist("Games", games) display_wishlist("Games", games)

Your result becomes:

Books:
======> Hello Web App: Learn How to Build a Web App - Tracy Osborn <======

  • Automate the Boring Stuff with Python: Practical Programming for Total Beginners - Al Sweigart
  • Python for Data Analysis
  • Fluent Python: Clear, Concise, and Effective Programming - Luciano Ramalho
  • Python for Kids: A Playful Introduction To Programming - Jason R. Briggs

Games:
======> Splinter Cell <======

  • Metal Gear Solid
  • Legend of Zelda
  • Mario Kart

Games:
======> Mario Kart <======

  • Metal Gear Solid
  • Legend of Zelda

Games:
======> Legend of Zelda <======

  • Metal Gear Solid

This is why the .copy() function is important because otherwise it will keep removing the last item from the list and changing it.

Andrejs Usacs
Andrejs Usacs
2,308 Points
Andrejs Usacs
Andrejs Usacs
2,308 Points

Hi Abdullah Jassim.

In the video Craig duplicated the last code """display_wishlist("Games", games)""" If in the end you have: """ display_wishlist("Books", books) display_wishlist("Games", games) display_wishlist("Games", games) """ One of the suggestions from games list will be deleted.