Built-in Methods for Python Lists

Python Lists - Built-in Methods

Let's learn some of the top built-in methods available for Python - lists.

Using append() with List

append() function can be used to add new items at the end of the list:

>>> cubes = [1, 8, 27, 64, 125]

>>> cubes

[1, 8, 27, 64, 125]

# append 216 at the end

>>> cubes.append(216)

# append cube of 7 at the end

>>> cubes.append(7 ** 3)

>>> cubes

[1, 8, 27, 64, 125, 216, 343]

Using insert() with List

insert() function will add element to a list at specified position(index number). Check the following example:

>>> list1 = ['a', 'b', 'c']
>>> list1.insert(2, 'kp')
>>> list1
['a', 'b', 'kp', 'c']

Using extend() with List

Python extend() function combines two lists. Check the following example:

>>> myList1 = ['a', 'b', 'c']
>>> myList2 = [1, 2, 3]
>>> myList1.extend(myList2)
>>> print(myList1)
['a', 'b', 'c', 1, 2, 3]

Using pop() and remove() with List

pop() function will get the value of an item and remove it from the given list. pop() function needs index number of a list as a parameter. Check example of pop():

>>> list1 = ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd']

>>> list1

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

>>> list1.pop(2)

'c'

>>> list1

['a', 'b', 'd']

Using remove() with List

remove() function deletes an item from a list. remove() function needs actual value of an item as a parameter. Check following example of remove():

>>> list1 = ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd']

>>> list1.remove('d')

>>> list1

['a', 'b', 'c']

Using reverse() with List 

Reverse the elements of a given list.

>>> list1 = ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd']

>>> list1

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

>>> list1.reverse()

>>> list1

['d', 'c', 'b', 'a'] 

Using sort() with List 

Sort the elements of a given list alphabetically or numerically.

>>> list1 = ['c', 'b', 'a', 'd']

>>> list1

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

>>> list1.sort()

>>> list1

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