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Python List: pop() Method

pop() Method

The pop() method is used to remove the item at the given position in a list, and return it. If no index is specified, a.pop() removes and returns the last item in the list.

Visual Explanation:

Python List: pop() method

Syntax:

list.pop([i])

Parameters:

Optional. A number indicating the position of the element to be removed. Default value is -1, which returns the last item.

Return Value:

Return the removed element.

Example 1: Remove an item at the given index from the list


colors = ['Red', 'Green', 'Orange', 'Pink']
print("Original List:")
print(colors)
print("Remove and return the 3rd item:")
return_item = colors.pop(2)
print('Return Value:', return_item)
print('Updated List:', colors)

Output:

Original List:
['Red', 'Green', 'Orange', 'Pink']
Remove and return the 3rd item:
Return Value: Orange
Updated List: ['Red', 'Green', 'Pink']

Example 2: Remove item from a list using pop() method


colors = ['Red', 'Green', 'Orange', 'Pink']
print("Original List:")
print(colors)
print("Remove and return the last item:")
print('Return Value:', colors.pop())
print('Updated List:', colors)
colors = ['Red', 'Green', 'Orange', 'Pink']
print("\nOriginal List:")
print(colors)
print("Remove and return the last item using index value:")
print('Return Value:', colors.pop(-1))
print('Updated List:', colors)
colors = ['Red', 'Green', 'Orange', 'Pink']
print("\nOriginal List:")
print(colors)
print("Remove and return the second last item using index value:")
print('Return Value:', colors.pop(-2))
print('Updated List:', colors)

Output:

Original List:
['Red', 'Green', 'Orange', 'Pink']
Remove and return the last item:
Return Value: Pink
Updated List: ['Red', 'Green', 'Orange']

Original List:
['Red', 'Green', 'Orange', 'Pink']
Remove and return the last item using index value:
Return Value: Pink
Updated List: ['Red', 'Green', 'Orange']

Original List:
['Red', 'Green', 'Orange', 'Pink']
Remove and return the second last item using index value:
Return Value: Orange
Updated List: ['Red', 'Green', 'Pink']

Python Code Editor:

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Next: Python List remove() Method.

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