Difference Between Extend And Append In Python by Roshan Chaturvedi

05 Apr, 2024

Roshan Chaturvedi 10 min read

distinguishing between extend and append in python

Difference Between Extend And Append In Python

In Python, both extend and append are used to add elements to a list, but there is a key difference between the two. The extend method is used to add multiple elements at once to the end of a list by taking an iterable as an argument, such as another list or a tuple, and adding each element of the iterable to the list individually. On the other hand, the append method is used to add a single element to the end of a list, simply appending the entire element as it is. So, while extend adds individual elements from an iterable, append adds the entire object as a single element.

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1 - Extend:

The `extend` method in Python is used to add multiple elements to a list.

It takes an iterable object (like a list, tuple, or another iterable) as an argument and adds each element of the iterable to the end of the list.

2) Append:

The `append` method in Python is used to add a single element to the end of a list.

It takes a single argument, which can be any data type, and adds it as a single element at the end of the list.

3) Usage:

Use `extend` when you want to add multiple elements at once to a list.

Use `append` when you want to add a single element at the end of a list.

4) List Mutability:

Both `extend` and `append` modify the original list in place, as they are methods of the list class.

5) Iterables:

`extend` can take any iterable as an argument (like a list or a tuple).

`append` can only take a single element as an argument.

6) Performance:

In terms of performance, `extend` can be more efficient when adding multiple elements as it only requires one method call.

`append` would require multiple method calls when adding each element individually.

7) Example:

```python

students = ["Alice", “Bob”]

new_students = ["Charlie", “David”]

students.extend(new_students)

print(students) # Output: ["Alice", “Bob”, “Charlie”, “David”]

students = ["Alice", “Bob”]

students.append("Eve")

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print(students) # Output: ["Alice", “Bob”, “Eve”]

```

8) Recommendation:

For your training program, you can introduce examples that demonstrate the difference in functionality between `extend` and `append` to help students understand when to use each method effectively.

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