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create and extend an array

Python gives you arrays with lists Python coders typically use the word “array" to
more correctly refer to a list that contains only

Sometimes, different programming languages have different data of one type, like a bunch of strings or a
bunch of numbers. And Python comes with a built-
names for roughly the same thing. For example, in Python most in technology called “array” for just that purpose.
programmers think array when they are actually using a Python
list. For our purposes, think of Python lists and arrays as the However, as lists are very similar and much more
essentially same thing. flexible, we prefer to use them, so you don't need
to worry about this distinction for now.
You create an array in Python like this:
my_words

my_words = ["Dudes", "and"]
"Dudes" "and"
Give the Assign a list 1
array a name. of values to it. 0

This creates a two-item array and gives it the name my_words.
To look at individual items in the array, index the element
required:
>>> print(my_words[0])
Dudes
>>> print(my_words[1])
and

You can read individual pieces of data from inside the array using an
index, just like you read individual characters from inside a string.

As with strings, the index for the first piece of data is 0. The second
piece has index 1, and so on.

Arrays can be extended

But what if you need to add some extra information to an array?
Like strings, arrays come with a bunch of built-in methods. Use the
append() method to add an extra element onto the end of the array:

>>> my_words.append("Bettys")
>>> print(my_words[2])
Bettys The array has grown
by one data element.
my_words

"Dudes" "and" "Bettys"

0 1 2
132 Chapter 4