Python Set – copy()

Python Set

Python Set copy() method is used make a copy of the existing set.

copy() method creates and returns a new set with the same contents as that of original set.

In this tutorial, we will learn how to use copy() method, with the help of different usage scenarios.

Example 1: Copy Python Set

In this example, we shall copy a contents of a set into another variable.

Also, we shall modify the copied set and observe the contents of both the original and copied set.

Python Program

#initialize set
set_1 = {32, 56, 19}

#copy set
set_2 = set_1.copy()

print('set 1:', set_1)
print('set 2:', set_2)

#some modifications
set_2.add(47)
print('\nafter modifications')

print('set 1:', set_1)
print('set 2:', set_2)
Run

Output

set 1: {32, 56, 19}
set 2: {32, 56, 19}

after modifications
set 1: {32, 56, 19}
set 2: {32, 56, 19, 47}

The original set is unchanged.

Example 2: Copy Set to Multiple Variables

You can copy a set to one or more variables in a single statement. In this example, we shall initialize a set and copy it to two variables.

Python Program

#initialize set
set_1 = {32, 56, 19}

#copy set
set_2 = set_3 = set_1.copy()

print('set 1:', set_1)
print('set 2:', set_2)
print('set 3:', set_3)
Run

Output

set 1: {32, 56, 19}
set 2: {32, 56, 19}
set 3: {32, 56, 19}

Summary

In this tutorial of Python Examples, we learned how to use copy() method of set class in Python, with the help of well detailed example programs.