How do I remove a key from a dictionary in Python?

How do I remove a key from a dictionary in Python?

You can use the del statement or the pop() method to remove a key from a dictionary. Which one would you like to know more about?

What's the difference between del and pop()?

The del statement removes the key and its value, while pop() removes the key and returns its value. If the key doesn't exist, pop() can raise a KeyError unless you provide a default value.

Can you show me an example using both methods?

Sure! Here's an example:

Using del:

my_dict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
del my_dict['a']

Using pop():

value = my_dict.pop('b')

This will remove 'a' and return the value of 'b'.

What happens if I try to remove a key that doesn't exist?

If you use del on a non-existent key, it raises a KeyError. With pop(), it raises a KeyError unless you provide a default value.