Python Lists Tutorial

In this tutorial, we will learn about list in Python and how to access element in a collection, this a built-in data type allow to work with multiple values.

List

"list" is built-in data types to store multiple elements in a single variable. We can simply create a list with a pair of brackets [] below example will help you understand more.

Example #1 - Empty List

fruits = []

Create List

To create a list with items by placing elements inside square brackets [] and separated by commas.

Example #1 - List with string items

fruits = ["Orange","Logan","Grape"]

The above example a list contain 3 items, since a list contain many items should name in plural noun. Ex: fruits, names,...

A list can hold different data types (integer, boolean, string, list, etc.).

Example #2 - List hold different type items

basket = ["Orange",3.4 ,True, 1]

A list have another list inside we called nested list

Example #3 - List hold nested items

myClass = [["Sok","Sao","John"],["Dori","Nara"]]

Access List Items

We can access a list item within index which is start from zero. In list the index zero base-index which is always start with 0 (Zero) located where the first element place. Let's see example below

Example #1

fruits = ["Orange","Logan","Grape","Banana"]

List is an ordered elements and allow duplicated element. A list have 4 elements will have index start from 0 to 3. See example #2 how to access first item in list

Example #2:

fruits = ["Orange","Logan","Grape","Banana"]
print(fruits[0])

Output #2:

Orange

Increase index number to access the next item.

Example #3:

fruits = ["Orange","Logan","Grape","Banana"]
print(fruits[1])

Output #3:

Logan

Example #4:

# Have only 4 elements. Index will have 0 to 3
fruits = ["Orange","Logan","Grape","Banana"]
# Index 0 to 3 but input 4 will produce error
print(fruits[4])

Output #4:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "main.py", line 2, in <module>
    print(fruits[4])
IndexError: list index out of range

When I started learn Python at first place, surprisingly Python allow reverse index to access the items. The index of -1 indicated to the last element and -2 to the previous last item. See table below

Example #5:

fruits = ["Orange","Logan","Grape","Banana"]
print(fruits[-1])

Output #3:

Banana

Hope you learn and help you to understand basic how to create list and access item in Python.