Python Dictionary get() Method

The get() method in Python dictionaries is used to retrieve the value associated with a specified key. It allows you to access the value corresponding to the given key, similar to dictionary indexing, but with the added benefit that it won't raise a KeyError if the key is not found in the dictionary. Instead, it will return a default value that you can specify as an argument. If the key is not found and no default value is provided, it will return None by default.

Syntax of the get() method:

value = dictionary.get(key, default)

• key: The key whose value you want to retrieve from the dictionary.
• default: (Optional) The default value to be returned if the specified key is not found in the dictionary. If not provided, it defaults to None.

Now, let's see some examples:

Example 1: Using get() to retrieve a value from the dictionary

# Sample dictionary
fruit_dict = {'apple': 'red', 'banana': 'yellow', 'orange': 'orange'}

# Retrieve the value associated with the key 'banana'
result = fruit_dict.get('banana')

# Print the result
print(result)

Output:

yellow

In this example, the get() method successfully retrieved the value 'yellow' associated with the key 'banana' from the fruit_dict.

Example 2: Providing a default value when the key is not found

# Sample dictionary
fruit_dict = {'apple': 'red', 'banana': 'yellow', 'orange': 'orange'}

# Try to retrieve the value associated with the key 'grape'
# As 'grape' key is not present, it will return the default value 'unknown'
result = fruit_dict.get('grape', 'unknown')

# Print the result
print(result)

Output:

unknown

In this example, the get() method attempted to retrieve the value associated with the key 'grape', which is not present in the fruit_dict. Since a default value 'unknown' is provided, it returns 'unknown'.

Example 3: Retrieving a value without providing a default value

# Sample dictionary
fruit_dict = {'apple': 'red', 'banana': 'yellow', 'orange': 'orange'}

# Try to retrieve the value associated with the key 'watermelon'
# As 'watermelon' key is not present, it will return None (default value)
result = fruit_dict.get('watermelon')

# Print the result
print(result)

Output:

None

In this example, the get() method attempted to retrieve the value associated with the key 'watermelon', which is not present in the fruit_dict. Since no default value is provided, it returns None by default.

Using the get() method is a safer way to access dictionary values, especially when you are uncertain whether a key exists in the dictionary or not, as it avoids raising a KeyError.