How To Properly Use Python List Copy Method - Easy Python Guide

In this Python post, we’ll learn how to use Python list copy method by using multiple practical code examples. We’ll be using a step by step approach to understand the role of copy method in detail.

After reading this post, I’m sure you will be able to easily incorporate Python list copy method in your own code.

Let’s not wait anymore and get right into its implementation.

Outline

What is Python List Copy Method?
Syntax of Copy Method
Implementing Python List Copy Method (Multiple Easy Examples)
Example 1: Copy List of Integers
Example 2 : Copy Nested Lists
Example 3: Copy Method Returns a new Copied List
Example 4: Copy List using the = Operator
Conclusion

What is Python List Copy Method?

It’s used to return a copy of the Python list. This list will store all the items which are present in the original list. It returns a new list, not updating the existing list.

Let’s now practically understand how to use Python list copy method with examples. But first, let’s understand its syntax.

Syntax of Copy Method

listName.copy()

As you can see in the above code, the copy method of Python list does not take any argument. Copy method does not update the current list. It just returns a new copied list.

Implementing Python List Copy Method (Multiple Easy Examples)

See below examples to practically understand the usage of copy method.

Example 1: Copy List of Integers

listOfIntegers=[1,3,5,5,6,7,73,2]
print(listOfIntegers.copy())     // [1, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 73, 2]

We’ve created and initialized a Python list. After that, we have implemented the copy method on it. You can see that the copied list is printed.

Example 2 : Copy Nested Lists

listOfIntegers=[[1,3],[5,5,6,7],[73,2]]
print(listOfIntegers.copy())        //[[1, 3], [5, 5, 6, 7], [73, 2]]

The nested lists are also successfully copied using the Python list copy method. You can try using the copy method with list having tuples, sets, float, string etc.

Example 3: Copy Method Returns a new Copied List

listOfIntegers=[1,3,5,5,6,7,73,2]
copiedList=listOfIntegers.copy()
print(copiedList)      // [1, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 73, 2]

You can see that we have specified another variable and passed it the copy method to check what value will be returned. As a result, we have a new list having same copied items of the original list.

Example 4: Copy List using the = Operator

We can also copy our Python list using the = operator. In this example, we will first declare and initialize a variable with a list. After that, we will assign that variable to a newly declared variable. In this way, that new variable will store a list in it. See below code:

listOfIntegers=[1,3,5,5,6,7,73,2]
newList=listOfIntegers
print(newList)   //[1, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7, 73, 2]

One drawback of using this method is that if you change/customize the original list, then the new variable pointing to this list will also change/update its list. Maybe you don’t want that. If yes, then simply use the copy method of Python list.

So this is how you can easily use Python list copy method in your own code. Hope you like this post.

If you still have any questions in mind regarding the implementation of Python list copy method then do ask in the comment section. I would be very glad to answer all.

Conclusion

To conclude, we have discussed Python list copy method in detail using practical Python code examples. Do give it a try and share your experience with us. Your feedback would be much appreciated. Thank you for reading this post.