set() in Python
Question:
I have used the set() function but I am confused.
x = set("car")
print(x)
Why does this code output: "a", "c", "r" and not "car"? Thanks for your answers.
Answers:
It’s because of the main properties of set in Python.
- They can’t contain duplicates
- They’re unordered
So things like this one just happen.
>>> set("car")
{'a', 'r', 'c'}
I suggest you to read this useful documentation about Python’s set.
If you really want an ordered set, there’s something that can be useful to you.
I would suggest you to check this answers too.
The set() function converts an iterable into a set. Because a string is an iterable collection of characters (well… of shorter, one-character strings), set("car") becomes the set of its characters e.g. {"c", "r", "a"}. (The order is random.)
There’s three ways you can make a set containing the string "car":
- Make the set directly using braces:
my_string = "car"
my_set = {my_string}
- Put the string into another iterable and convert that
my_string = "car"
temp_tuple = (my_string,)
my_set = set(temp_tuple)
- Make an empty set and add the string to it
my_string = "car"
my_set = set()
my_set.add(my_string)
If you just want a set containing specifically the word "car" you can construct this as a literal:
my_set = {"car"}
but I expect the actual problem you’re trying to solve is more complex than that!
if you just want one item in the set
do this
x = set(["car"])
print(x)
## or create a set directly like this
x=set({"car"})
set takes an iterable…a string is an iterable so it gets split
if you pass a list even with one item..it will remain as such
I have used the set() function but I am confused.
x = set("car")
print(x)
Why does this code output: "a", "c", "r" and not "car"? Thanks for your answers.
It’s because of the main properties of set in Python.
- They can’t contain duplicates
- They’re unordered
So things like this one just happen.
>>> set("car")
{'a', 'r', 'c'}
I suggest you to read this useful documentation about Python’s set.
If you really want an ordered set, there’s something that can be useful to you.
I would suggest you to check this answers too.
The set() function converts an iterable into a set. Because a string is an iterable collection of characters (well… of shorter, one-character strings), set("car") becomes the set of its characters e.g. {"c", "r", "a"}. (The order is random.)
There’s three ways you can make a set containing the string "car":
- Make the set directly using braces:
my_string = "car"
my_set = {my_string}
- Put the string into another iterable and convert that
my_string = "car"
temp_tuple = (my_string,)
my_set = set(temp_tuple)
- Make an empty set and add the string to it
my_string = "car"
my_set = set()
my_set.add(my_string)
If you just want a set containing specifically the word "car" you can construct this as a literal:
my_set = {"car"}
but I expect the actual problem you’re trying to solve is more complex than that!
if you just want one item in the set
do this
x = set(["car"])
print(x)
## or create a set directly like this
x=set({"car"})
set takes an iterable…a string is an iterable so it gets split
if you pass a list even with one item..it will remain as such