Lists and Dictionaries are kind of like super variables. They allow you to store multiple data under a singular name. In the example below, I first assign the variable ‘a‘ a value of 6. Next when I go to assign it a value of 7, it replaces 6.
What if I want to keep both 6 and 7?
Sure I could use 2 variables, (ex. a and b), or I can use a list.
List
A list is a collection of data in Python. You create a list by assigning a variable a group of data enclosed in square brackets [].
Notice that lists are indexed, meaning you call them up using the following syntax: variable[index]
Note that indexes in Python start at 0. So in our set of 4 elements, the indexes would be 0,1,2,3. Notice when I try to use index 4, I get an out of range error.
Lists can also hold strings, or combinations of values in one list.
Dictionaries
This of dictionaries as lists with named indexes. This makes looking up values easier (especially when your code get more complicated).
Each data element is paired with a named index. A dictionary is denoted through the use of curly braces {} and : separating the named index and the value.
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