Python Dictionary get()

In this tutorial, we will learn about the Python Dictionary get() method with the help of examples.

The get() method returns the value for the specified key if the key is in the dictionary.

Example

marks = {'Physics':67, 'Maths':87}

print(marks.get('Physics'))


# Output: 67

1. Syntax of Dictionary get()

The syntax of get() is:

dict.get(key[, value]) 

2. get() Parameters

get() method takes maximum of two parameters:

• key – key to be searched in the dictionary
• value (optional) – Value to be returned if the key is not found. The default value is None.

3. Return Value from get()

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.

4. Example 1: How does get() work for dictionaries?

person = {'name': 'Phill', 'age': 22}

print('Name: ', person.get('name'))

print('Age: ', person.get('age'))

# value is not provided
print('Salary: ', person.get('salary'))


# value is provided
print('Salary: ', person.get('salary', 0.0))

Output

Name:  Phill
Age:  22
Salary:  None
Salary:  0.0

5. Python get() method Vs dict[key] to Access Elements

get() method returns a default value if the key is missing.

However, if the key is not found when you use dict[key], KeyError exception is raised.

person = {}

# Using get() results in None
print('Salary: ', person.get('salary'))


# Using [] results in KeyError
print(person['salary'])

Output

Salary:  None
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "", line 7, in 
    print(person['salary'])
KeyError: 'salary'