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Python Dictionary get() Method

How to safely retrieve values from a Python dictionary using the get() method, including handling missing keys with default values and avoiding KeyError exceptions.

The Dictionary get() method retrieves the value for a given key.

Syntax

my_dictionary.get(key, default)

get() Parameters

Python Dictionary get() method parameters:

Parameter Condition Description
key Required The key to be searched in the dictionary.
default Optional The value to return if the key is not found. The default value is None.

get() Return Value

Python Dictionary get() method returns:

  • the value for the specified key if key is in the dictionary.
  • None if the key is not found and value is not specified.
  • value if the key is not found and value is specified.

Examples

Example 1: Basic Usage of get() method of dictionaries

The get() method is used to get the value for the specific key.

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
my_value = my_dict.get('name')

print(my_value) # Output: Tom

output

Tom

If key is not in the dictionary, the method returns None.

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
my_value = my_dict.get('job')

print(my_value) # Output: None

output

None

Example 2: get() with Default Value Parameter

If you want a value different from None to be returned, you have to specify the default parameter.

If key is in the dictionary, the method returns the value for key (no matter what you pass in as default, since a pair key-value exists in the dictionary!).

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25, 'job': 'Manager'}
my_value = my_dict.get('job', 'Developer') # get with default value 'Developer'

print(my_value) # Output: Manager

output

Manager

But if key is not in the dictionary, the method returns specified default.

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
my_value = my_dict.get('job','Developer') # get with default value 'Developer'

print(my_value) # Output: Developer

output

Developer

Example 3: get() Method vs Dictionary Indexing (Square Bracket Notation)

The get() method is similar to indexing a dictionary by key in that it returns the value for the specified key.

However, if you refer to a key that is not in the dictionary, get() method will NEVER raise a KeyError.

For example, if the key is present in the dictionary:

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
print(my_dict.get('name'))  # Output of get: Tom
print(my_dict['name'])      # Output of indexing: Tom

output

Tom
Tom

For example, if the key is not present in the dictionary:

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
print(my_dict.get('job'))  # Output of get: None
print(my_dict['job'])      # Raises KeyError: 'job'

output

None
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "main.py", line 3, in <module>
    print(my_dict['job'])
KeyError: 'job'
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