Python Sets - The Basics

Python Set

A set in Python is mutable, iterable, and does not have any duplicate elements. It is an unordered collection of elements which means that a set is a collection that stores elements of different Python Data Types. Remember that a set in Python doesn’t index the elements in a particular order. Let us look at some of the properties of sets in Python. Sets in Python are usually used to perform some mathematical functions such as union, intersection, etc.

• In Python sets, elements don’t have a specific order.
• Sets in Python can’t have duplicates. Each item is unique.
• The elements of a set in Python are immutable. They can’t accept changes once added.
• But, don’t get confused with the fact that sets in Python are mutable. Python sets allow addition and deletion operations.

One of the major advantages of using sets in Python is that unlike some other data types like Python Lists, sets contain a highly optimized method for the sole purpose of checking whether a particular element is included in a set or not.

Also, since sets in Python are mutable, we can add and remove elements from a set; however, every element that is added in the set must be unique and immutable, that is, we cannot change elements once they have been added.

In this module, we will learn all about sets in order to get started with them. Following is the list of all topics that we will be covering.

• Instantiate a Set in Python
• Python Set Operations
• Common Python Set Functions
• Frozenset in Python
• Python Ordered Set
• Difference between set and list in Python
• Convert list to set in Python
• Convert set to list in Python

So, without any further delay, let’s get started.

Instantiate a Set in Python

1. Using commas to separate and curly braces to group elements

myset = {“apple”, “banana”, “cherry”}
print(myset)

Output:

{‘cherry’, ‘banana’, ‘apple’}

2. Using the in-built set() method with the elements that we want to add as the parameters

myset = set((“apple”, “banana”, “cherry”)) # note the double round-brackets
print(myset)

Output:

{‘cherry’, ‘banana’, ‘apple’}

Remember that once a set is created we can’t change that set. We can only add elements. We can remove and then add elements but cannot change the existing elements. Now, let us see how to add items in a Python set.

Python Set operations

Adding Elements to a Set in Python

1. Using the add() method with the element as the parameter:

myset = {“apple”, “banana”, “cherry”}
myset.add(“orange”)
print(myset)

Output:

{‘cherry’, ‘orange’, ‘banana’, ‘apple’}

2. Using update()

myset = {“apple”, “banana”, “cherry”}
myset.update([“orange”, “mango”, “grapes”])
print(myset)

Output:

{‘cherry’, ‘mango’, ‘banana’, ‘apple’, ‘orange’, ‘grapes’}

Removing elements from sets in Python

Remove operation can be performed by using the following methods.

1. Using the remove() method:

myset = {“apple”, “banana”, “cherry”}
myset.remove(“banana”)
print(myset)

output:

{‘cherry’, ‘apple’}

Note: If the item to be removed does not exist, remove() will raise an error.

2. Using discard():

myset = {“apple”, “banana”, “cherry”}
myset.discard(“banana”)
print(myset)

Output:

{‘cherry’, ‘apple’}

Note: If the item to be removed does not exist, discard() will not raise an error.

3. Using pop():

Remember that pop() will remove the last item of a set. Since sets are unordered, we should avoid performing pop() in sets.

myset = {“apple”, “banana”, “cherry”}
x = myset.pop()
print(x)
print(myset)

Output:

{‘banana’, ‘apple’}

Printing the Length of a Set in Python

To print the length of a set, we can simply use the in-built len() method as shown below:

myset = {“apple”, “banana”, “cherry”}
print(len(myset))

Output:

3

Emptying a Python Set Completely

To clear a set completely, we can use either the clear() method or the del() method.

1. Using clear():

myset = {“apple”, “banana”, “cherry”}
myset.clear()
print(myset)

2. Using del():

myset = {“apple”, “banana”, “cherry”}
del myset
print(myset)

Output:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File “”, line 1, in
NameError: name ‘myset’ is not defined

As discussed above, sets in Python are used to carry out mathematical set operations such as union, intersection, etc. Let’s see a few examples of these mathematical operations.

Sets Union

To perform union, we use “|” operator. We can also use an in-built method called union(), which will give the same result.
The result of the union of two sets, say Set A and Set B, is a set containing the elements of both sets.

The following code block shows the union of Set A and Set B:

Set_A = {1,2,3,4,5}
Set_B = {4,5,6,7}
print(Set_A | Set_B)

Output:

{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

Set Intersection

To perform an intersection, we use ‘&’ operator. We can also use the in-built Python Function named intersection() to get the same result.
The intersection of two sets say Set A and Set B, can result in a set that contains the elements that are common in both sets, that is, the overlapping part in the diagram below.

The following code block shows the union of Set A and Set B:

Set_A = {1,2,3,4,5}
Set_B = {4,5,6,7}
print (Set_A & Set_B)

Output:

{4, 5}

Common Python Set functions

Frozenset in Python

frozenset() is an inbuilt Python function that takes an iterable object as input and makes it immutable. It Simply freezes the iterable objects and makes them unchangeable. The frozenset() function returns an unchangeable frozenset object (which is like a set object, only unchangeable).

In Python, frozenset() is the same as set except the forzensets are immutable which means that elements from the frozenset cannot be added or removed once created. This function takes input as any iterable object and converts them into an immutable object. The order of elements is not guaranteed to be preserved.

mylist = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
x = frozenset(mylist)
print(x)

The output will be

frozenset({'cherry', 'banana', 'apple'})

Python Ordered Set

There aren’t ordered sets in Python, but programmers can use collections.OrderedDict from the Python standard library with just keys and the values as none.

OrderedSet([1, 2, 3])

Difference between set and list in Python

Convert list to set in Python

list1 = [1, 2, 3, 3]
converted_set = set(list1)
print(converted_set)

The output will be

{1, 2, 3}

Convert set to list in Python

To convert a set to a list in python, you can typecast using the list(set_name) method.
Type Casting to list can be done by simply using list(set_name).

set1 = {‘Intellipaat’, ‘Python’, ‘Tutorial’}
list1 = list(set1)
print(list1)
[‘Intellipaat’, ‘Python’, ‘Tutorial’]

With this, we come to the end of this module in Python Tutorial. Now, if you are interested in knowing why Python is the most preferred language for data science, you can go through this blog on Python Data Science tutorial.
Further, check out our Python course for certification and prepare to excel in your career with our free Python developer interview questions listed by the experts.