Python, being a popular high-level programming language, is often used for creating wide range of applications. One common operation often executed in python is checking if a specific variable exists in a list. This tutorial will guide you through the process of checking if a variable exists within a list in Python, using simple yet effective techniques.
Understanding List in Python
Before we proceed, it’s crucial to understand what a List in Python is. A list is one of Python’s built-in data types used to store multiple items in a single variable. Lists are one of the four built-in data types in Python used to store collections of data; the other three are Tuple, Set, and Dictionary.
Step 1: Define your List
First off, you need to define your list. A List in Python is created by placing a comma-separated sequence of items in square brackets [].
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my_list = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry'] |
Step 2: Checking if a Variable Is In the List
Once you have your list, you can check if a variable exists in your list using the in keyword.
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'banana' in my_list |
This will return True if the variable is in the list and False if otherwise.
Step 3: Using an If Statement
You can also use if statement alongside the in keyword to execute certain code when the variable is found in the list.
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if 'banana' in my_list: print('Found banana!') |
This will print ‘Found banana!’ only if ‘banana’ is in the list.
Conclusion
Checking if a variable is part of a list is a simple but necessary step in Python programming. With the use of ‘in’ keyword Python simplifies this operation. Always remember to ensure correct usage of upper and lower cases, as Python is case-sensitive.
The full code:
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my_list = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry'] print('banana' in my_list) if 'banana' in my_list: print('Found banana!') |
Output:
True Found banana!
Throughout the tutorial, we learned how to use the ‘in’ keyword to check if a variable exists in a list, followed by how to print custom messages on finding the variable. To explore further, check out other Python tutorials.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we covered the basic steps necessary for checking if a variable is part of a list in Python. We hope you found it helpful and feel confident in applying these steps in your own Python programming. Keep practicing and don’t hesitate to check out other tutorials to continue advancing your Python skills.