Python Set symmetric_difference_update()

1. Overview

The symmetric_difference_update() method finds the symmetric difference of two sets and updates the set calling it.

The symmetric difference of two sets A and B is the set of elements that are in either A or B, but not in their intersection.

The syntax of symmetric_difference_update() is:

A.symmetric_difference_update(B)

2. Return Value from symmetric_difference_update()

• The symmetric_difference_update() returns None (returns nothing). Rather, it updates the set calling it.

3. Example: Working of symmetric_difference_update()

A = {'a', 'c', 'd'}
B = {'c', 'd', 'e' }

result = A.symmetric_difference_update(B)

print('A =', A)
print('B =', B)
print('result =', result)

Output

A = {'a', 'e'}
B = {'d', 'c', 'e'}
result = None

Here, the set A is updated with the symmetric difference of set A and B. However, the set B is unchanged.

Recommended Reading: Python Set symmetric_difference()