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How to Make Empty List Python

Learn how to create empty lists in Python with this step-by-step guide, including code snippets and explanations.| …


Updated May 19, 2023

|Learn how to create empty lists in Python with this step-by-step guide, including code snippets and explanations.|

Definition of the Concept

In Python, a list is a collection of items that can be of any data type, including strings, integers, floats, and other lists. An empty list is a list that contains no elements.

Step-by-Step Explanation

Creating an empty list in Python is a straightforward process. Here are the steps:

1. Using the Square Bracket Notation

You can create an empty list by using the square bracket notation [].

# Create an empty list using the square bracket notation
empty_list = []

In this code snippet, we assign an empty list to a variable named empty_list. The [] syntax tells Python that you want to create a new list with no elements.

2. Using the list() Function

You can also create an empty list using the built-in list() function.

# Create an empty list using the list() function
empty_list = list()

This code does the same thing as the previous example, but uses the list() function to create a new list with no elements.

Code Explanation

In both code snippets, we assign an empty list to a variable named empty_list. The [] syntax or the list() function tells Python that you want to create a new list with no elements. This is equivalent to creating a list that has been initialized but not yet populated with any values.

Practical Example

Here’s an example of how you might use an empty list in a real-world scenario:

# Create an empty list to store exam scores
exam_scores = []

# Add some scores to the list
exam_scores.append(85)
exam_scores.append(90)
exam_scores.append(78)

# Print out the scores
print(exam_scores)  # Output: [85, 90, 78]

In this example, we create an empty list called exam_scores and then append some exam scores to it. Finally, we print out the scores.

Conclusion

Creating an empty list in Python is a simple process that can be accomplished using the square bracket notation or the list() function. This tutorial has provided step-by-step instructions on how to create an empty list, including code snippets and explanations.

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