Exploring Python's list Data Type With Examples (Overview)

Joseph Peart
Exploring Python's list Data Type With Examples Joseph Peart 01:41
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The list class is a fundamental built-in data type in Python. It has an impressive and useful set of features, allowing you to efficiently organize and manipulate heterogeneous data. Knowing how to use lists is a must-have skill for you as a Python developer. Lists have many use cases, so you’ll frequently reach for them in real-world coding.

By working through this video course, you’ll dive deep into lists and get a solid understanding of their key features. This knowledge will allow you to write more effective code by taking advantage of lists.

In this video course, you’ll learn how to:

  • Create new lists in Python
  • Access the items in an existing list
  • Copy, update, grow, shrink, and concatenate existing lists
  • Sort, reverse, and traverse existing lists
  • Use other features of Python lists

Resource linked in this lesson: Basic Data Types in Python: A Quick Exploration

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Course Slides (.pdf)

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Sample Code (.zip)

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00:00 Welcome to exploring Python’s list data, type with examples. My name is Joseph and I’ll be your navigator as together we map the terrain of the Python list.

00:09 Lists are one of the most versatile containers in Python. Need to store heterogeneous data? Lists can handle that. How about maintaining a dynamic growing and shrinking sequence of numbers?

00:19 A list has you covered like a good Swiss army knife. They’re an essential tool in your toolkit, but also like a Swiss Army knife. There’s probably some features that you’re overlooking and maybe even misusing, like that weird plastic thing that’s apparently a toothpick or the pointy piece with a hole in it.

00:34 That’s something I’m told is called an awl. My point is in this course you’re going to take a deep look at the key features of the Python list, ensuring you can take advantage of its full potential throughout your Python programs.

00:48 You’ll start by learning the ways you can create new lists in Python. Then a discussion on retrieving elements from an existing list. How to use Python operators with lists like the plus and star operators, how to copy, update, grow and shrink existing lists, as well as how to sort, reverse and traverse existing lists.

01:08 And finally, how to avoid common errors made when handling lists.

01:13 It’ll help if you’re fairly comfortable with core Python concepts like variables, functions, and methods, for loops, and built-in data types. But don’t worry, I’ll also be explaining things as we go along.

01:25 For now, if you’re feeling like a refresher on Python’s data types, check out basic data types in Python. A quick exploration. Okay, before we get to coding, the next lesson will be a brief orientation where we’ll answer the question, what is a Python list?

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