How to Convert Array to List in Python

Learn how to convert array to list in Python with our comprehensive guide. Understand the concept, step-by-step explanation, and code snippets to become proficient in converting arrays to lists. …

Learn how to convert array to list in Python with our comprehensive guide. Understand the concept, step-by-step explanation, and code snippets to become proficient in converting arrays to lists.

Definition of the Concept

In Python, both array and list are used to store collections of data. However, they have some differences in their behavior and usage.

• Array: A built-in type in Python’s array module, which stores a sequence of values of the same type.
• List: A fundamental data structure in Python that can store a collection of values of any type.

The key point to note here is that arrays are typically used for storing homogeneous data (i.e., values of the same type), while lists are more versatile and can accommodate heterogeneous data.

Step-by-Step Explanation

To convert an array to a list, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Importing the array Module

First, import the array module to work with arrays in Python.

import array

2. Creating an Array

Create an array using the array.array() function and specify the type of values it will hold (e.g., ‘i’ for integers).

# Create an integer array
arr = array.array('i', [1, 2, 3])
print("Original Array:", arr)

3. Converting the Array to a List

To convert the array to a list, use the tolist() method.

# Convert the array to a list
list_val = arr.tolist()
print("\nArray as List:", list_val)

Code Explanation

Here’s a breakdown of what happens when you run this code:

• The first line imports the array module, making its functions and classes available for use.
• We create an integer array called arr using the array.array() function. This array has three integers: 1, 2, and 3.
• Finally, we call the tolist() method on the array to convert it into a list. The resulting list is stored in the variable list_val.

Conclusion

Converting an array to a list in Python can be achieved by importing the array module, creating an array using the array.array() function, and then calling the tolist() method to get the desired conversion.

Note: Make sure to have the necessary permissions and follow the proper guidelines for converting arrays to lists in your specific use case. This example is meant to provide a general understanding of how this process works in Python.