Python: Dictionary

Name: Python: Dictionary
Author: Jeremy Kurtz

How to manipulate a dictionary in Python.

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Course: On-Demand

In this lesson, we're going to start talking about dictionaries. Dictionaries in Python are name and value pairs of variables. So to take this back to the last class if you've taken the beginning Python you remember we talked about lists. Well, a dictionary is kind of like a list where you have a single name for a variable and that variable name contains multiple instances of that variable. The difference is, is there two part variables. For example, if we were going to make a dictionary of our favorite movies by our favorite directors we might have something such as "The Fog" followed by John Carpenter. "The Fog" and John Carpenter would be related. John Carpenter was the director of the movie "The Fog." In other programming languages we can call dictionaries associative arrays. That is kind of where the similarity is between Python and other programming languages. Now, the best thing to do instead of just talking about dictionaries is to actually look at one. So we're going to create a very simple dictionary. And in fact, I am going to use movies and directors. So to get it started we have to give our dictionary a name. So the dictionary I'm going to create is going to be called my movies. And we're going to set that to different movie and director pairs. And the way we start that is to create the list within curly braces. So we're going to set that equal to and then I'm just going to put a set of curly braces. The next thing we're going to do is put the title of a movie. Now it just so happens that "The Fog" is actually one of my favorite movies. After put the title in you close the single quote and then you follow it with a colon. And then you put the name of the director also in single quotes. So this is pretty easy to remember, but it can get a little tricky once you start adding quite a few. The next thing we do, once we have a pair we're going to separate that pair from another pair with a comma. Let's say the next movie I want to put in is "Friday the 13th." So we have "Friday the 13th" followed by quotes and then we have to put in the colon and then we're going to put in the name of the director which happens to be Sean Cunningham. We can continue to add entries, but for right now I'm just going to stop here. This is a basic way to create a dictionary. Now, if we want to print this dictionary, what we're going to do is just put a print statement below it. We're going to write print and then inside of parentheses, my movies. And that's all there is to it. So we can save this. And I have to tell you, I started this off in my folder, intermediate Python and it's going to be lesson 001. So I already have it saved and I'm going to hit save again. And now I'm going to run the module. And you see right here it outputs each of the name value pairs in my dictionary. So that's the very basics of dictionaries. In the next lesson we're going to go more in depth into creating dictionaries. See you then.

Intermediate Provider : Jeremy Kurtz 7 Lessons · 37m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

Dictionaries in Python are name and valued pairs of variables. They are similar to lists, but with two-part variables. In this module, instructor Jeremy Kurtz uses movie and director pairs to create an example dictionary, teaching viewers all the steps along the way. From there, you’ll learn about several ways to manipulate a dictionary in Python. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to apply multiple elements to a single variable using dictionaries. You’ll also learn how to combine outputs using applicable, real-life examples.

What You'll Learn

Define what a dictionary is in Python and understand how and what dictionaries are used for
Create an example dictionary using name and value pairs, such as movie and director pairs
Manipulate a dictionary in Python across multiple methods and techniques
Apply multiple elements to a single variable using dictionaries
Combine outputs using applicable, real-life examples
Recognize why some methods are more practical for creating a dictionary and the order of operations in programming

Key Takeaways

Dictionaries in Python are name and value pairs of variables, similar to lists but with two-part variables.
Instructor Jeremy Kurtz uses movie and director pairs to build an example dictionary while explaining each step.
There are several ways to manipulate a dictionary in Python, and some methods are more practical than others for creating one.
Dictionaries allow multiple elements to be applied to a single variable.
The module covers combining outputs using applicable, real-life examples.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will I learn in this Python: Dictionary module?

You will learn how and what dictionaries are used for in Python, why some methods are more practical for creating a dictionary, and the order of operations in programming. You will also be able to apply multiple elements to a single variable using dictionaries and combine outputs using real-life examples.

What is a Python dictionary according to this course?

Dictionaries in Python are name and value pairs of variables. They are similar to lists, but with two-part variables.

Who teaches this module and how is the example built?

Instructor Jeremy Kurtz teaches the module and uses movie and director pairs to create an example dictionary, walking viewers through all the steps along the way.

What lessons are included in this module?

The module includes What is a Dictionary?, The Finessed Dictionary, Manipulating a Dictionary Parts 1 through 4, and Combining Output.