Python Copy List

Copy list. A list references a region of memory.

When assigned, the list reference itself is copied. We sometimes need instead to copy all the elements of a list into a new list. The new list then can be independently modified.

Based on:

Python 3

Example. We use the slice syntax to copy a list. With slices, we separate two numbers with a colon. But when those numbers are omitted, we consider the slice to equal the entire list. So an unspecified slice copies a list.

Tip: This is the shortest syntax form. It requires only a list reference and three characters.

Python program that copies list

# A list:
list1 = [10, 20, 30]

# Copy list1 with slice syntax.
list2 = list1[:]

# Modify list2.
list2[0] = 0

print(list1)
print(list2)

Output

[10, 20, 30]
[0, 20, 30]

Extend. Next, we use the extend method to copy a list. We first need to allocate a new, empty list. Then we extend that empty list (list2) with the original list. Extend receives a sequence type.

Note: This approach requires two lines. It is also less efficient. Please see the benchmark section.

Python program that uses extend, copies list

list1 = [10, 20, 30]

# Create empty list, then extend it.
list2 = []
list2.extend(list1)

# The lists are separate.
list2[0] = 0

print(list1)
print(list2)

Output

[10, 20, 30]
[0, 20, 30]

Performance. Here we consider performance of list copying. Version 1 tests the slice syntax. Version 2 instead uses the extend method (after creating an empty list). We repeat these operations ten million times.

List: The list contains five numbers. We use while-loops to repeatedly copy those five elements.

While, For

Result: Taking a slice to copy a list is faster. It required just 4.7 seconds, versus 5.3 for the extend method version.

Python program that times list copying

import time

list1 = [100, 200, 300, 400, 500]

print(time.time())

# Version 1: slice
i = 0
while i < 10000000:
    list2 = list1[:]
    i += 1

print(time.time())

# Version 2: extend
i = 0
while i < 10000000:
    list2 = []
    list2.extend(list1)
    i += 1

print(time.time())

Output

1395252155.968703
1395252160.704971   Slice  = 4.736 s
1395252166.045275   Extend = 5.340 s

Summary. A full-list slice is a good way to copy a list. It requires the least amount of syntax. And it performs faster than the alternative approach that uses the extend method. Slicing wins on both considerations.

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