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Difference between list and dictionary in Python

Read this blog to know the difference between “list” and “dictionary” in Python

Table of Contents

  1. What is a “list” in Python?
  2. What is “dictionary” in Python?
  3. Difference between “list” and “dictionary”

Python programming can be defined as an object-oriented, interpreted, high-level programming language consisting of several data structures. Lists and dictionaries are one of those structures that construct the structure of Python. 

Both lists and dictionaries are mutable, so they can be easily modified and updated per the user’s requirement. The basic usage of a list and dictionary is to store elements. However, both of them have distinctive properties, and they are categorised based on certain parameters. Apart from the list and dictionary, couples and sets are included within the four built-in data structures of Python programming.

What is a list in Python?

 Lists are one of the most powerful tools used in Python And can be considered arrays. In Python, lists are created by placing or putting all elements within the square brackets. Moreover, these elements are separated by commas, and they can contain several data types like strings, integers, and objects. The list is considered mutable, i.e., The elements fed into the square brackets changed even after the creation. Moreover, each element in a list has its specific index value. Therefore, the index value can search and identify certain elements within a list.

When it comes to the creation of a list Within Python, there are several complexities that a user faces. There are two complexities that are considered while creating lists. They are

  • Time complexity: It can be defined as the looping of all the elements stored within a data structure and their increment or decrement at a constant rate. A graph is plotted to find out the time complexity.
  • Space complexity: It can be defended as difficulties or complexities that occur while considering the amount of memory used for storing a particular element.

 Moreover, a list can also consist of duplicate values based on their specific positions. Therefore, multiple distinctions and duplicated values will be considered a sequence during the creation of a list.

What is a dictionary in Python?

 When it comes to the dictionary that is used within Python can be defined as the collection of the data value in an unordered manner. The dictionaries store the values like a map instead of Storing the data types. The pairing within a dictionary is done under the key: value pair. This particular format of key: value makes the dictionary optimised. The general writing format of a dictionary is when the key-value pair is written; a colon separates them; on the other hand, Each of the keys is separated by commas. 

Moreover, when it comes to the dictionary in a pipe, they are considered to be immutable. Therefore the values and the keys cannot be repeated or modified. However, the values associated with a dictionary can be duplicated or any data type. At the same time, dictionaries are also case-sensitive, which are also associated with time complexity and space complexity.

Difference between list and dictionary

Both lists and dictionaries are quite similar, and their functions correspond. However, certain properties and features distinguish them from each other. The tabular representation of the differences between the list and dictionary used in Python is as follows:

ListDictionary
In Python, that list is gated by putting the elements within the square brackets.In Python, dictionaries are created by putting the key-value pair within the curly brackets.
The elements of the list have a specific index value. Therefore, the indices of the elements within a list start from zero.The dictionary is associated with the keys. Therefore, the key can be of any data type without considering indices.
The search for a particular element within a list is based on its indices.The search for a particular element within the dictionary is done based on the key values.
In Python, lists are those data structures considered in an orderly manner. In Python, dictionaries are those data structures that are considered to be in an un-orderly manner. However, they are more optimised.
Considering the space-time trade-off, lists take more time to find an element.In compassion to lists, dictionaries are more optimised and can look up the element quicker.
The elements present within a list are mutable, i.e., The values can be modified or altered even after the creation of the list.The key value pair present within a dictionary is. Therefore the keys cannot be repeated or altered once it is created.