How to Generate a Sequence in Python

In this tutorial, we will learn how to generate a sequence in Python. Understanding how to create sequences is essential when working with Python because it plays a pivotal role in scenarios such as loop iterations, indexing, slicing, and many others.

Step 1: Using the range() Function

The Python range() function generates a sequence of numbers starting from 0 by default and increments by 1, stopping before a specified number. It is commonly used for loops for iterating over a sequence of numbers.

Here’s a simple example:

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# generate sequence of numbers from 0 to 5
for i in range(6):
    print(i)

Step 2: Generating a Sequence with a Specified Start, Stop, and Step

We can further customize the sequence generated by the range() function. We can specify the starting point, the ending point, and the step (i.e., the difference between each number in the sequence).

Here’s an example:

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# generate sequence from 10 to 50 with step 10
for i in range(10, 51, 10):
    print(i)

Step 3: Creating a List of Sequential Numbers

Quite often, we need a sequence of numbers stored in a list for manipulation. Python makes this easy by allowing us to typecast a range object to a list using the list() function.

Here’s how to do it:

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# generate sequence of numbers from 1 to 5
numbers = list(range(1, 6))
print(numbers)

The Full Code

Here is the full code from this tutorial for reference.

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# Step 1
for i in range(6):
    print(i)
 
# Step 2
for i in range(10, 51, 10):
    print(i)
 
# Step 3
numbers = list(range(1, 6))
print(numbers)

Conclusion

In conclusion, generating a sequence of numbers in Python is straightforward and versatile allowing a significant degree of customization. It is an essential building block for any Python programmer and a stepping stone to more complex operations.

For more details on Python sequence and iteration, visit the official Python documentation here.