Python Dictionary pop()

The syntax of pop() method is

dictionary.pop(key[, default])

pop() Parameters

pop() method takes two parameters:

• key - key which is to be searched for removal
• default - value which is to be returned when the key is not in the dictionary

Return value from pop()

The pop() method returns:

• If key is found - removed/popped element from the dictionary
• If key is not found - value specified as the second argument (default)
• If key is not found and default argument is not specified - KeyError exception is raised

Example 1: Pop an element from the dictionary

# random sales dictionary
sales = { 'apple': 2, 'orange': 3, 'grapes': 4 }

element = sales.pop('apple')
print('The popped element is:', element)
print('The dictionary is:', sales)

Output

The popped element is: 2
The dictionary is: {'orange': 3, 'grapes': 4}

Example 2: Pop an element not present from the dictionary

# random sales dictionary
sales = { 'apple': 2, 'orange': 3, 'grapes': 4 }

element = sales.pop('guava')

Output

KeyError: 'guava'

Example 3: Pop an element not present from the dictionary, provided a default value

# random sales dictionary
sales = { 'apple': 2, 'orange': 3, 'grapes': 4 }

element = sales.pop('guava', 'banana')
print('The popped element is:', element)
print('The dictionary is:', sales)

Output

The popped element is: banana
The dictionary is: {'orange': 3, 'apple': 2, 'grapes': 4}