List Methods

Python lists come with a rich set of built-in methods that allow you to add, remove, search, modify, and organize data efficiently. Below is a complete and accurate table of all list methods.

All Python List Methods (Table)

MethodDescription
append(x)Adds an item to the end of the list
extend(iterable)Adds elements of an iterable to the list
insert(i, x)Inserts an item at a specific index
remove(x)Removes the first occurrence of a value
pop(i)Removes and returns item at index (default last)
clear()Removes all items from the list
index(x)Returns index of first occurrence of value
count(x)Returns number of times value appears
sort()Sorts the list
reverse()Reverses the order of the list
copy()Returns a shallow copy of the list

Python Collections (Arrays)

Python does not have traditional arrays like some other languages. Instead, lists are used as dynamic arrays.
Why lists are used as arrays:
  • Can store multiple values
  • Can grow or shrink dynamically
  • Support indexing and slicing
  • Can store mixed data types
python
numbers = [10, 20, 30, 40]
print(numbers)
python
numbers[0] = 100
print(numbers)

The list() Constructor

The list() constructor is used to create a list from another iterable.

From Tuple

python
data = list((1, 2, 3))
print(data)

From String

python
letters = list("Python")
print(letters)

From Range

python
numbers = list(range(5))
print(numbers)

Using type() with Lists

The type() function is used to check the data type of a variable.
python
x = [1, 2, 3]
print(type(x))
python
print(type([]))

List Items – Data Types

A list can store multiple data types in a single list.

Same Data Type

python
numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4]
print(numbers)

Mixed Data Types

python
data = ["Python", 10, 3.14, True]
print(data)

Nested Lists

python
matrix = [[1, 2], [3, 4], [5, 6]]
print(matrix)
python
print(matrix[0])
print(matrix[1][1])

Important Characteristics of List Items

  • List items are ordered
  • Indexing starts from 0
  • Supports negative indexing
  • Allows duplicate values
python
values = [10, 20, 20, 30]
print(values)

Summary

  • Lists are Python’s built-in dynamic arrays
  • Python provides many built-in list methods
  • list() constructor creates lists from iterables
  • type() confirms a variable is a list
  • Lists can store same or mixed data types
  • Nested lists are supported
This topic forms the foundation for advanced data structures like stacks, queues, and matrices.