Python Data Structures
Data structures are complex formats used to store, organize, and access data. Python has numerous structures that programmers utilize, including lists, tuples, sets, and dictionaries.
Arrays, however, are among the most widely used data structures. Arrays are special kinds of lists that only contain elements of a single data type.
Unlike Python lists, arrays have a fixed length that cannot be modified once the array is created. Arrays also have better memory management.
Python boasts three main types of arrays: the built-in array module, Python lists, and NumPy arrays.
Python Array Variants
Python arrays have many variants, making them versatile. These variants differ according to usage and implementation.
The most common array variants that we will discuss in this article are the array module, Python lists, and NumPy arrays.
Python Array Module
The array module is a built-in array method in Python that allows programmers to use arrays in their coding. The module offers an array() function that creates arrays using the format code, which indicates the type of data in the array.
The format code is a single character representing the data type of the array. The most common format codes include ‘b’ for signed integer, ‘B’ for unsigned integer, ‘f’ for floating-point number, and ‘u’ for unicode character.
Here is an example of how to create an array using the array() function:
import array
a = array.array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
print(a) # Output: array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
This example shows how to create an integer array. The format code ‘i’ indicates that the array will contain signed integers.
Python List as an Array
Lists in Python are a popular and powerful data structure. As previously mentioned, arrays are a variant of lists that only contain elements of a single data type.
Python lists can act as arrays by specifying data types for their elements. Here is an example of how to create an array using Python lists:
a = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
print(a) # Output: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
In this example, we assign numerical values to the variable ‘a’, effectively creating an array of integers.
It is essential to note that using Python lists as arrays has a downside; in that, they’re slower than using arrays from the array module.
Python NumPy Array
NumPy is an open-source package that, among many other things, offers multidimensional arrays. NumPy arrays are similar to the array modules, but it is faster for numerical operations.
NumPy is a widely used and powerful array in Python. NumPy arrays have two unique types, namely the ndarrays and ufuncs.
The ndarray is the basic data structure in NumPy. It is an n-dimensional array object consisting of items of the same data type. Here is an example of creating a NumPy array using the arange() method.
import numpy as np
a = np.array([1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
print(a) # Output: [1 2 3 4 5]
The numpy.arange() function operates similarly to the range() function of lists. The arange() function returns evenly spaced values in between a given range that you can specify, like this:
a = np.arange(1, 11, 2)
print(a) # Output: [1, 3, 5, 7, 9]
In this example, the arange() function generates an array that contains the numbers between 1 and 11 in steps of 2.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Python arrays are a powerful data structure for managing and manipulating data. Python arrays come in three primary variants: the array module, Python lists as arrays, and NumPy arrays.
Learning how to use these arrays requires a basic understanding of the format code of arrays and the array module. Python lists provide another alternative to creating arrays, and NumPy arrays provide a powerful data structure with its functions and methods.
Hopefully, this article has provided the information you need to get started with Python arrays.
3) Methods of an Array
Arrays are essential data structures that store and manipulate data in an efficient and organized way. Python arrays offer various methods to manage and manipulate the data stored in them.
In this section, we will explore some of the most commonly used built-in array methods available in Python.
append()
The append() method adds an item to the end of an array. This method is useful when you need to add a new item to the existing elements in the array.
import array
a = array.array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
a.append(6)
print(a) # Output: array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6])
clear()
The clear() method deletes all items in an array. This method is useful when you want to empty the contents of an array.
import array
a = array.array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
a.clear()
print(a) # Output: array('i', [])
copy()
A copy() method creates a shallow copy of an array in Python. The shallow copy refers to a new copy of an array with its elements.
However, changes to the original array will still affect the copied array.
import array
a = array.array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
b = a.copy()
print(b) # Output: array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
count()
The count() method searches for the number of occurrences of a specified item in an array.
import array
a = array.array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1])
print(a.count(1)) # Output: 2
extend()
The extend() method combines two arrays to form one. This method takes another array as its argument.
It combines the elements of the given array with the existing elements of the array.
import array
a = array.array('i', [1, 2, 3])
b = array.array('i', [4, 5, 6])
a.extend(b)
print(a) # Output: array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6])
index()
The index() method returns the index of the first occurrence of a specified item in an array. This method raises a ValueError if the element is not found in the array.
import array
a = array.array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
print(a.index(3)) # Output: 2
insert()
The insert() method adds an item to the array at a specific position. The position is specified by the index value.
import array
a = array.array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
a.insert(2, 6)
print(a) # Output: array('i', [1, 2, 6, 3, 4, 5])
pop()
The pop() method removes an item from the array at the specified position. If no index is provided, it removes the last element of the array.
import array
a = array.array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
a.pop(2)
print(a) # Output: array('i', [1, 2, 4, 5])
remove()
The remove() method deletes the first occurrence of an item from the array. This method raises a ValueError if the element is not found.
import array
a = array.array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
a.remove(3)
print(a) # Output: array('i', [1, 2, 4, 5])
reverse()
The reverse() method reverses the order of elements in the array.
import array
a = array.array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
a.reverse()
print(a) # Output: array('i', [5, 4, 3, 2, 1])
sort()
sort() sorts the array in ascending order, but the default is ascending. This method sorts the items in an array.
import array
a = array.array('i', [4, 2, 5, 1, 3])
a.sort()
print(a) # Output: array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5])
4) Summary
In summary, we’ve covered the primary ways to declare and modify Python arrays. We’ve explored the different variants, including the array module, Python lists, and NumPy arrays.
We also covered the built-in methods that make it easier to manipulate arrays. Understanding these methods is essential for developing effective programs with Python.
Using arrays is an invaluable skill, not just in Python programming but in all programming languages. Arrays allow us to store and manipulate data in a structured and efficient manner, and Python’s arrays provide a versatile and powerful data structure for modern programming projects.
In conclusion, this article provided an in-depth overview of Python arrays, their variants, and methods. Arrays are an essential data structure that allows us to store and manipulate data in an organized and efficient manner.
Python arrays come in various forms and have built-in methods that help with manipulation. By understanding how to declare arrays and use their built-in methods, programmers can develop sophisticated programs with Python.
Overall, Python arrays are a fundamental concept that illustrates the power of data structures in programming and should be understood by all practitioners.