How do I extract and edit a dict value without editing the dict itself?

Question

I have a dictionary where the keys are letters, and the values are arrays. I want to extract one of the arrays, and then pop a value from it, without changing the dictionary.

mydict = {'a': ['apple', 'avocado'], 
          'b': ['banana', 'berry'], 
          'c': ['carrot', 'cucumber']}

fruits = mydict['a']
fruits.pop(0)

When I print the dict I then get:

>> {'a': ['avocado'], 'b': ['banana', 'berry'], 'c': ['carrot', 'cucumber']}

How do I get a copy of the list that won't change the dictionary when I pop from it?

Answer 1

Ust the .copy() attribute when assigning the fruit variable.

>>> mydict = {'a': ['apple', 'avocado'], 
              'b': ['banana', 'berry'], 
              'c': ['carrot', 'cucumber']}

>>> fruits = mydict['a'].copy()
>>> fruits.pop(0)

This will give the following results

>>> mydict

{'a': ['apple', 'avocado'],
 'b': ['banana', 'berry'],
 'c': ['carrot', 'cucumber']}

>>> fruits

['avocado']

Answer 2

The = operator creates a new variable or data structure, but it basically points to the same object as before. So using the = operator won't work.

You can use the list.copy() method which returns a shallow copy of the list in the dictionary. Modifying this list will not modify the original dictionary.

mydict = {'a': ['apple', 'avocado'], 
          'b': ['banana', 'berry'], 
          'c': ['carrot', 'cucumber']}

fruits = mydict['a'].copy()
fruits.pop(0)

print(fruits) # returns ['avocado']
print(mydict) # returns {'a': ['apple', 'avocado'] ...}

Alternatively, use the Python copy module's copy() or deepcopy() method which will both work.

import copy

mydict = {'a': ['apple', 'avocado'], 
          'b': ['banana', 'berry'], 
          'c': ['carrot', 'cucumber']}

fruits = copy.copy(mydict['a']) # or copy.deepcopy(mydict['a'])
fruits.pop(0)

print(fruits) # returns ['avocado']
print(mydict) # returns {'a': ['apple', 'avocado'] ...}

The distinction between shallow (the copy() method) and deep copying (the deepcopy() method) is important but does not really apply in this case, because you are not copying a nested data structure (your dictionary) but only a list within that dictionary.

For example, shallow copying the dict and modifying the nested list also modifies the original:

import copy

mydict = {'a': ['apple', 'avocado'], 
          'b': ['banana', 'berry'], 
          'c': ['carrot', 'cucumber']}

fruits = copy.copy(mydict)
fruits['a'].append('apricot') # also changes mydict

print(fruits) # returns {'a': ['apple', 'avocado', 'apricot'] ...}
print(mydict) # also returns {'a': ['apple', 'avocado', 'apricot'] ...}

While deep copying does not:

import copy

mydict = {'a': ['apple', 'avocado'], 
          'b': ['banana', 'berry'], 
          'c': ['carrot', 'cucumber']}

fruits = copy.deepcopy(mydict)
fruits['a'].append('apricot') # also changes mydict

print(fruits) # returns {'a': ['apple', 'avocado', 'apricot'] ...}
print(mydict) # returns {'a': ['apple', 'avocado'] ...}

From the Python 3 docs on the copy module:

The difference between shallow and deep copying is only relevant for compound objects (objects that contain other objects, like lists or class instances):

• A shallow copy constructs a new compound object and then (to the extent possible) inserts references into it to the objects found in the original.

• A deep copy constructs a new compound object and then, recursively, inserts copies into it of the objects found in the original.

Answer 3

Deep copy:

import copy
fruits = copy.deepcopy(my_dict["a"])

Shallow copy:

import copy
fruits = copy.copy(my_dict["a"])

fruits = my_dict["a"].copy()

fruits = list(my_dict["a"])

As all your elements are of type str, shallow copy the lists. str objects are immutable, so their internal state cannot be modified. Whenever you "modify" a str, you actually just make a copy.

More details on deep copying in Python

Answer 4

If you're trying to get a specific value (in this case "avocado"), and you want it in list form, you just surround the expression in square brackets and it becomes a list like so:

fruits = [mydict["a"][1]]

Answer 5

Instead of using pop use index to get the item. It will leave your array inside in the dict intact.

fruit = mydict['a'][0]