Python Sets

In Python, a set is a collection data type that stores unordered, unique elements. It is useful when you need to eliminate duplicate values, perform mathematical set operations (like unions, intersections, etc.), or manage a collection of unique items efficiently.

Python also includes a data type for sets. A set is an unordered collection with no duplicate elements. Basic uses include membership testing and eliminating duplicate entries. Set objects also support mathematical operations like union, intersection, difference, and symmetric difference

Creating a Set

Creating a set in Python can be done using curly braces {} or the set() function. Sets are useful for storing unique, unordered elements.

1. Using Curly Braces {}

You can create a set directly by placing items inside curly braces:

# Creating a set with curly braces
data_set = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}
print(data_set)  # Output: {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}

2. Using the set() Function

You can also create a set using the set() function, especially helpful when creating a set from other iterables like lists, tuples, or strings.

# Creating a set from a list
data_set = set([1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10])
print(data_set)  # Output: {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}

# Creating a set from a string (breaks it into unique characters)
char_set = set("python")
print(char_set)  # Output: {'p', 'y', 't', 'h', 'o', 'n'}

Note: To create an empty set, you must use set() because {} initializes an empty dictionary.

Python Sets – Questions and Answers

Python Sets – Objective Questions (MCQs)

s = {1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3}
print(s)

Related Python Sets Topics