4.0 Python: Remove Set Items

4.1 Remove Item

To remove an item in a set, use the remove(), or the discard() method.

4.1.1 Example

Remove "banana" by using the remove() method:

thisset = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}

thisset.remove("banana")

print(thisset)

note

If the item to remove does not exist, remove() will raise an error.

4.1.2 Example

Remove "banana" by using the discard() method:

thisset = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}

thisset.discard("banana")

print(thisset)

note

If the item to remove does not exist, discard() will NOT raise an error.

You can also use the pop() method to remove an item, but this method will remove a random item, so you cannot be sure what item that gets removed.

The return value of the pop() method is the removed item.

thisset = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}

x = thisset.pop()

print(x)

print(thisset)

note

Sets are unordered, so when using the pop() method, you do not know which item that gets removed.

4.1.3 Example

The clear() method empties the set:

thisset = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}

thisset.clear()

print(thisset)

4.1.4 Example

The del() keyword will delete the set completely:

thisset = {"apple", "banana", "cherry"}

del thisset

print(thisset)