Python List Comprehension with Examples [2023]

The sequences can be constructed in a concise or a short way from already defined sequences through the use of comprehensions in python. The sequences include data structures such as list, dictionary, set, etc. The following comprehensions are supported in python:

• List Comprehensions
• Dictionary Comprehensions
• Set Comprehensions
• Generator Comprehensions 

This article will focus on the list comprehensions in python and its uses. Like the list comprehension set and dictionary comprehensions in python can also be created.

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What is List Comprehension?

Python is a widely accepted programming language that provides the user with the ability to write easy and elegant code. List comprehension is one such distinctive feature of python which is used for creating new lists. Through the use of a single line of code, the functionality can be created.  

It is not necessary that an if condition should be contained in a list comprehension, however multiple forms can be contained in the list comprehension.

Therefore, list comprehensions

• Is an elegant way for defining and the creation of a list based on lists that are existing.
• Compared to the normal functions for creating lists and the loops, the list comprehensions are much more compact and faster.
• For the code to be more user-friendly, writing of long list comprehensions should be avoided.
• While using a for loop, list comprehensions can be re-written.

Benefits of Using List Comprehension Include:

List Comprehensions are a powerful tool in Python that allows users to create lists out of existing iterable easily. They provide several advantages over standard for and while loops, making them an invaluable part of any programmer’s skill set.

• Increased readability 

List comprehensions make code much easier to read and understand than traditional for/while loops by condensing multiple lines of code into a single line. This allows developers to quickly identify what the purpose of the list comprehension is and how it works.

• More efficient coding 

Traditional for/while loops take up more lines of code, as they require at least one line per loop. List comprehensions allow for much more efficient use of code, as the whole loop is condensed into a single line. This makes code easier to maintain and debug.

• Faster Execution 

List comprehensions are generally faster than traditional loops due to their reduced complexity. The fewer lines of code used, the less computations the processor needs to do in order to execute it. Thus, list Python list comprehension can help speed up programs and make them more efficient.

• Easy dictionary comprehension in Python 

Dictionary Comprehension allows users to easily create dictionaries using existing iterables without having to write cumbersome for/while loops each time. This helps reduce development time significantly and allows developers to create complex data structures with minimal effort quickly.

• Nested List Comprehension Python 

Nested list comprehensions Python allow users to create more complex data structures quickly and easily while still using a single line of code. This makes programs more efficient and reduces development time by eliminating the need for multiple loops or hard-to-read nested loop constructs.

By taking advantage of the benefits of list comprehension, developers can significantly speed up their development process and produce cleaner, easier-to-read code. List comprehensions are an invaluable tool for any Python programmer’s arsenal and should be used whenever possible.

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How to create list?

Several ways exist for creating lists in the programming language python. 

1. for loops

For loop can be used for creating a list. Three steps are to be followed for creating the element list.

• An empty list is to be instantiated.
• Looping is used over elements that can be iterated.
• Each element is appended to the list end.

2. map() Objects

An alternative approach i.e. map() is based on functional programming. An object is created when a function and element that is iterable is passed on to map(). The output that would be generated from the execution of the iterable element through the supplied function will be contained in the object.

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3. List comprehensions

Another way of making a list is through the use of list comprehension. The for loop can be re-written in a code consisting of just a single line.

Compared to the earlier methods where an empty list is created first and then the addition of the elements at the end, in this case, it simply happens in just a single line. The list and the contents are simply defined at the same time. The code used is.

There are three elements in every python list comprehensions.

• Expression: It being a member, expression is a method call or any expressions where a value is returned.
• Member: It is a value or an object in the iterable list. The value of a member is 1 in the above example.
• Iterable: it is a list, sequence, set, or other objects whose elements can be returned one at a time. Iterable is range(10) in the above example.

Python list comprehension can work well even in places that use map(). The above example can be re-written as.

The difference in using a map() and list comprehension is that a list is returned in case of list comprehension while a map object is returned in case of map().

How to Supercharge Your Comprehensions

To help you avail the most benefit of your Python list comprehension, here are some tips for creating powerful and efficient code:

• Learn the Syntax

Python list and dictionary comprehensions are powerful tools for manipulating data. You need to understand their syntax to get the most out of them. Start by studying examples from other developers or apps to familiarize yourself with how they’re constructed and what they can do.

• Leverage Iterables

Comprehensions work best with iterable data types, such as strings, lists and dictionaries. Take advantage of this when building your comprehensions to make the most of their capabilities.

• Consider Performance

Python list and dictionary comprehensions are powerful because they can be used for a wide variety of tasks, but it’s important to consider the performance of your code. Comprehensions can help you write more efficient code by declining the number of steps needed to get a result, but they can also require more processing time than simpler methods.

• Utilize Nested Comprehensions

If you’re working with multiple data types or nested collections, using nested list comprehension Python it is often easier. These allow you to write one expression containing multiple embedded loops, greatly reducing the code needed for certain operations.

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Conditional statements

The existing lists can be modified through the use of conditional statements in the list comprehensions. Either list or tuples, both can be modified through python list comprehensions. 

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1. Using the condition of if

Condition of ‘if’ can be used in list comprehension through the following code.

Running the above program generates the output: [0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18]

2. Using the condition of Nested IF

The list comprehension does the following checks:

• Is the element y divisible by 2 or 5?
• If both the conditions are satisfied by y then it is appended to num_list.

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3. Using if-else

In the example shown above, the ten numbers, i.e. from 0 to 10 are checked by list comprehensions.

4. Using of nested loops

Output generated: [[1, 4], [2, 5], [3, 6], [4, 8]]

The transpose of the matrix is computed through the use of two loops.

• Compared to the normal nested loops, the nested loops contained in list comprehensions work differently from the other nested loops. 

Syntax

The basic syntax for python list comprehension is 

[expression for item in list]

Suppose we have a string and we want to iterate it through the use of list comprehension. 

In the above example, it can be noticed that the ‘human’ is used as a string neither a list. Here lies the power of the python list comprehensions. Whether a string or be it a tuple, the list comprehension can identify it and work upon it like a list.

The same thing can be carried out by using the loops. But, the syntax of list comprehension cannot be followed by the loops. 

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Conclusion

In this article, you learned briefly about the list comprehensions in python and its creation in various ways. With the knowledge of this comprehension, other codes may be tried upon for your tasks.  The concept of python is getting a lot of attention, but it will be more valuable if you are able to use your data effectively. This can be carried out by writing clear and concise codes.

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