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Python Dictionary pop() Method

How to remove and retrieve a dictionary value in one step using the pop() method, including handling missing keys with optional default values.

The Dictionary pop() method removes an item with a specified key from the dictionary and returns its value.

Syntax

my_dictionary.pop(key, default)

pop() Parameters

Python Dictionary pop() method parameters:

Parameter Condition Description
key Required The key of the item to be removed and returned.
default Optional The value to return if the key is not found in the dictionary.

pop() Return Value

Python Dictionary pop() method returns:

  • the removed element from the dictionary, if key is found.
  • the value specified as default value (second argument), if key is not found.

Examples

Example 1: Pop an element from the dictionary

The pop() method is used to remove a key from the dictionary. Moreover, it returns the value associated to the removed key.

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
removed_value = my_dict.pop('age')

print(my_dict)       # Output {'name': 'Tom'}
print(removed_value) # Output: 25

output

{'name': 'Tom'}
25

Example 2: Pop an element not present from the dictionary but providing a default value

If key is in the dictionary, the pop() method removes it and returns its value (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'}
removed = my_dict.pop('job', 'Developer') # pop with default value 'Developer'

print(my_dict)  # Output: {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
print(removed) # Output: Manager

output

{'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
Manager

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

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

print(my_dict)  # Output: {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
print(removed)  # Output: Developer

output

{'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
Developer

Example 3: Pop an element not present from the dictionary without default value

If the key to remove is not in the dictionary and default value is not specified, then the pop() method raises KeyError exception.

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
my_dict.pop('job') # raises KeyError: 'job'

output

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "main.py", line 2, in <module>
    my_dict.pop('job')
KeyError: 'job'
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