Python Array for Beginners | Array Examples in Python

Last updated Feb 12, 2021

Today in this tutorial we are going to know about arrays in python. This tutorial contains a brief explanation of arrays that will help you mastering this module. Also, we have shared some of the best examples you can try to learn arrays perfectly. Before getting into programming let's know what is an array?

In this post we will cover

  • What is an Array?
  • Python Read  elements from array
  • Modify the Array Elements in Python
  • How to add Elements to array in Python
  • Find the Length of the Array
  • Iterate Python array
  • Python Array Properties

 

 

What is an Array?

An array is a group or collection of items will memory locations. In short, an array is basically used to store multiple items of the same type. It is easier to calculate the position of elements by using an array. Just add the offset to a base value. Let's learn array with a short example.

 

Syntax:

 

variable name= ["value1", "value2", "value3"]

 

If we have a list of items of bike names, we have to store bikes' names in different variables.

Bike1 = "BMW"

Bike2= "Bullet"

Bike3= "Yamaha"

To avoid that we are going to use an array to store all values in the same variable. Here is how to do that.

Bike = ["BMW","Bullet","Yamaha"]

 

Summary

An array is just a variable which can hold multiple value at a time. 

 

Let's explore more about an array.

 

How to access the elements of an array in Python

An array can hold many values in a single name and can be indexed using an index number. To access any element in the array we are going to use this syntax

 

x= Bike[0]

 

The program to access elements in the above example will be

 

bikes = ["BMW","Bullet","Yamaha"]

x = bikes[0]

print(x)

 

Output:

BMW

 

 

Python Array Tutorial for Begginers

 

 

Modify the value of an array item in Python

It is very easy to modify the value of an array item. To do this we just have to specify the indexed number which we have to change and the new value. Here is the syntax to modify the value.

 

variable_name[index number] = "New value"

 

Like in the above example we want to change the value of the 0th index item. To do that we will use the following code

bikes = ["BMW","Bullet","Yamaha"]

bikes[0] = "Hero"

print(bikes)

 

 

Output:

['Hero', 'Bullet', 'Yamaha']

This modification is usually used to change the value when the data of the length of an array is too big. Now here the question arises how to check the length of an array?

 

Length of an array in Python

To check the length of our array we will use the len() function of python. It simply helps us in checking the exact length of our array. To know more built-in functions in python, you can go through this article. Here is the syntax to do that.

 

variable = len(array_name)

 

Now let's check the length of the above example. To do this we will use the code

x = len(bikes)

Here is the full program

 

bikes = ["BMW","Bullet","Yamaha"]

x = len(bikes)

print(x)

 

Output:

3

 

 

How to add Elements to Array in Python

If we have to add elements in the array we will use the append() method. This method helps us in adding one more element to the array easily without changing the whole array. Have a look at the below program to add the elements in the array

 

bikes = ["BMW","Bullet","Yamaha"]
// Now use the append function to add the hero element in the array
bikes.append("Hero")
// print the updated array
print(bikes)

 

Output:

['BMW', 'Bullet', 'Yamaha', 'Hero']

 

 

Remove Elements from array in Python

We can also remove any elements from the array. To do that we will use the pop() method. This method will basically remove the given value from the array. Let's program to remove the array elements

 

bikes = ["BMW","Bullet","Yamaha"]
// Added hero in the array using append() method
bikes.append("Hero")

print(bikes)
// removed value indexed at 1 by using pop() method
bikes.pop(1)

print(bikes)

 

 

Output:

['BMW', 'Bullet', 'Yamaha', 'Hero']

['BMW', 'Yamaha', 'Hero'] //Bullet is removed as it is indexed in the 1th place

 

 

To remove an element from an array we can also use the remove() method. Here is the program to use the remove() method

cars = ["BMW", "LAMBO", "JAGUAR"]
// Used a remove function to remove the lambo from the array.
cars.remove("LAMBO")

print(cars)

 

Output:

['BMW', 'JAGUAR']

 

Now as we know the basics of an array. How to use, modify, add, remove and check the length of an array. Now we are going to learn about the use of an array in loop elements.

 

Iterate Items from Array in Python

To loop array elements we are going to use for loops. Here is a syntax to do this

 

for x in bikes:
  print(x)

Here is the full program to use a loop in the above example.

bikes = ["BMW","Bullet","Yamaha"]

for x in bikes:
    print(x)

 

Output:

BMW                                                                     

Bullet                                                                  

Yamaha

 

Array Properties in Python

 

Method

Description

append()

To add elements in the array

clear()

To remove all the elements from the array

copy()

To return a copy of the given array

count()

It basically returns the number of elements with their value

extend()

To add an element at the end of an array

index()

This method returns the index of the first element with their value

insert()

Adds an element at the specified position

pop()

To remove the element from the given position

remove()

To remove the item from an array

reverse()

It reverses the array

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sort()

It is used to sort the list

 

 

 

 

Some More Examples to Practice Arrays

 

Example 1

a = [1.1, 3.5, 4.5]
print(a)

 

Output:

[1.1, 3.5, 4.5]

 

 

Example 2

 

#Python program to demonstrate to Remove elements in a Array


import array


# To initializing array with some values

arr = array.array('i', [10, 20, 30, 100, 15])


# printing original array

print ("The new created array is: ")

for i in range (0, 5):

    print (arr[i])


print ("\r")


# Now using pop() method to remove element from 1rst position

print ("The popped element is: ")

print (arr.pop(1))


# To print the array after popping

print ("The array after popping is: ")

for i in range (0, 4):

    print (arr[i])


print("\r")


# To print array after removing the value

print ("The array after removing is: ")

for i in range (0, 3):

    print (arr[i])

 

 

Output:

The new created array is: 10 20 30 100 15                                                                    

The popped element is: 20                                                                                    

The array after popping is: 10 30 100 15                                                                     

The array after removing is: 10 30 100     

 

 

Example 3

# Python code to search an element in the array


# importing the array module in python

import array


# To initialize array with array values

arr = array.array('i', [10, 20, 30, 21, 22, 35])


# To print an original array

print ("The new created array is: ")

for i in range (0, 6):

    print (arr[i] )


print ("\r")


# Now using index() method to print the search of 20

print ("The indexex position of 20 is: ")

print (arr.index(20))


# Again using index() method to print index the position  21

print ("The indexed position of 21 is: ")

print (arr.index(21))

 

 

Output:

The new created array is: 10 20 30 21 22 35                            

The index of 1st occurrence of 2 is: 1                                 

The index of 1st occurrence of 1 is: 3  

 

Keep practicing more programs to master the array in python programming. Here we have explained everything in brief about the arrays in python. Also, do not forget to try other built-in methods in your programming. If you face any problem, please let us know in comments we will surely help you out

 

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