How do I use dictionaries in Python's collections module?

How do I use dictionaries in Python's collections module?

In Python, dictionaries are part of the built-in data types, but the collections module offers specialized dictionary types like defaultdict and OrderedDict. Would you like to know about a specific type?

What's the difference between defaultdict and a regular dictionary?

A defaultdict is a subclass of the built-in dict that provides a default value for a nonexistent key, which can help avoid KeyErrors. You specify the default type when you create it.

Can you give me an example of how to use defaultdict?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

from collections import defaultdict

# Create a defaultdict with int as the default factory
my_dict = defaultdict(int)

# Incrementing values
my_dict['a'] += 1
my_dict['b'] += 2

print(my_dict)  # Output: defaultdict(<class 'int'>, {'a': 1, 'b': 2})