Using OrderedDict in Python (Summary)

For years, Python dictionaries were unordered data structures. This revealed the need for an ordered dictionary that helps in situations where the order of items is important. So Python developers created OrderedDict, which was specially designed to keep its items ordered.

Python 3.6 introduced a new feature into regular dictionaries. Now they also remember the order of items. With this addition, most Python programmers wonder if they still need to consider using OrderedDict.

In this video course, you learned:

• How to create and use OrderedDict objects in your code
• What the main differences are between OrderedDict and dict
• What the pros and cons are of using OrderedDict vs dict

Now you’re in a better position to make an educated decision on whether to use dict or OrderedDict if your code needs an ordered dictionary.

In this course, you coded an example of how to implement a dictionary-based queue, which is a use case that shows that OrderedDict can still be of value in your daily Python coding adventures.

To continue your learning or review foundational concepts, check out:

• Python Basics: Dictionaries
• Dictionaries in Python
• Custom Python Dictionaries: Inheriting From dict vs UserDict
• Sorting a Python Dictionary: Values, Keys, and More
• Python Dictionary Iteration: Advanced Tips & Tricks
• Python Stacks, Queues, and Priority Queues in Practice
• PEP 372 – Adding an ordered dictionary to collections
• Python documentation: collections — Container datatypes