Merging Two Python Dictionaries. In the vast and versatile world of Python Programming, dictionaries play a crucial role in storing data and key-value pair format. There are instances when you need to combine these dictionaries, Whether to aggregate data or to update an existing collection with new information. This article explores how to merge two Python dictionaries into one, providing a step-forward guide for beginners.
Table of Contents
The Need for Merging Dictionaries in Python
Merging dictionaries is a common requirement in programming. You might need to merge configurations, combine data from different sources, or simply aggregate information for processing. Python offers several methods to merge dictionaries, making it a flexible operation suited for various occasions.
Method for Merging Dictionaries in Python
Using the update() Method
The update()the method is one of the simplest ways to merge two dictionaries in Python. This method updates a dictionary with elements from another dictionary object or an iterable of key-value pairs. If a key in the first dictionary exists in the second, its value gets updated. Otherwise, a new key-value pair from the second dictionary is added to the first.
dict1 = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
dict2 = {'c': 1, 'd': 2}
dict1.update(dict2)
print(dict1)
Using the ‘**’ Operator
In Python 3.5 and above, you can use the '**' operator to merge dictionaries. This operator creates a new dictionary containing the merged content from both dictionaries. If there are overlapping, the keys from the second dictionary will override those from the first.
dict1 = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
dict2 = {'b': 1, 'd': 2}
merge_dict = {**dict1,**dict2}
print(merge_dict)
Using the ‘|’ Operator (Python 3.9+)
Python 3.9 has introduced a new dictionary union operator '|' that merges dictionaries into new ones, making the syntax even more concise. like the '**' operator, if there are duplicate keys, the values from the second dictionary will override those from the first.
dict1 = {'a': 10, 'b': 20}
dict2 = {'b': 30, 'd': 40}
merge_dict = dict1 | dict2
print(merge_dict)
Happy Coding & Learning
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