Python - List Comprehension
List Comprehension
List comprehension offers a shorter syntax when you want to create a new list based on the values of an existing list.
Example:
Based on a list of fruits, you want a new list, containing only the fruits with the letter "a" in the name.
Without list comprehension you will have to write afor statement with a conditional test inside:
Example
newlist = []
for x in fruits:
if "a" in x:
newlist.append(x)
print(newlist)
With list comprehension you can do all that with only one line of code:
Example
newlist = [x for x in fruits if "a" in x]
print(newlist)
The Syntax
The return value is a new list, leaving the old list unchanged.
Condition
Thecondition is like a filter that only accepts the items that evaluate toTrue.
Example
Only accept items that are not "apple":
The conditionif x != "apple" will returnTrue for all elements other than "apple", making the new list contain all fruits except "apple".
Thecondition is optional and can be omitted:
Iterable
Theiterable can be any iterable object, like a list, tuple, set etc.
Example
You can use therange() function to create an iterable:
Same example, but with a condition:
Expression
Theexpression is the current item in the iteration, but it is also the outcome, which you can manipulate before it ends up like a list item in the new list:
Example
Set the values in the new list to upper case:
You can set the outcome to whatever you like:
Example
Set all values in the new list to 'hello':
Theexpression can also contain conditions, not like a filter, but as a way to manipulate the outcome:
Example
Return "orange" instead of "banana":
Theexpression in the example above says:
"Return the item if it is not banana, if it is banana return orange".
