Python Language Tutorial => Using the key argument

Example

Finding the minimum/maximum of a sequence of sequences is possible:

list_of_tuples = [(0, 10), (1, 15), (2, 8)]
min(list_of_tuples)
# Output: (0, 10)

but if you want to sort by a specific element in each sequence use the key-argument:

min(list_of_tuples, key=lambda x: x[0])         # Sorting by first element
# Output: (0, 10)

min(list_of_tuples, key=lambda x: x[1])         # Sorting by second element
# Output: (2, 8)

sorted(list_of_tuples, key=lambda x: x[0])      # Sorting by first element (increasing)
# Output: [(0, 10), (1, 15), (2, 8)]

sorted(list_of_tuples, key=lambda x: x[1])      # Sorting by first element
# Output: [(2, 8), (0, 10), (1, 15)]

import operator   
# The operator module contains efficient alternatives to the lambda function
max(list_of_tuples, key=operator.itemgetter(0)) # Sorting by first element
# Output: (2, 8)

max(list_of_tuples, key=operator.itemgetter(1)) # Sorting by second element
# Output: (1, 15)

sorted(list_of_tuples, key=operator.itemgetter(0), reverse=True) # Reversed (decreasing)
# Output: [(2, 8), (1, 15), (0, 10)]

sorted(list_of_tuples, key=operator.itemgetter(1), reverse=True) # Reversed(decreasing)
# Output: [(1, 15), (0, 10), (2, 8)]

PDF - Download Python Language for free

Previous Next

Python Language

Fastest Entity Framework Extensions

Example

Got any Python Language Question?

Python Language

Python Language Sorting, Minimum and Maximum Using the key argument

Fastest Entity Framework Extensions

Example

Got any Python Language Question?