Python Dictionary copy()

Python Dictionary copy() method returns a shallow copy of the dictionary. let’s see the Python Dictionary copy() method with examples:

 Examples

Input: original = {1:'Lazyroar', 2:'for'}
        new = original.copy() // Operation
        
Output: original:  {1: 'one', 2: 'two'}
         new:  {1: 'one', 2: 'two'}

Syntax of copy() method

Syntax:  dict.copy() 

Return:  This method doesn’t modify the original, dictionary just returns copy of the dictionary.

Python Dictionary copy() Error: 

As we are not passing any parameters, there is no chance of any error.

Example 1: Examples of Python Dictionary copy()

Python program to demonstrate the working of dictionary copy.

Output: 

new:  {}
original:  {1: 'Lazyroar', 2: 'for'}

Example 2: Python Dictionary copy() and update

Python program to demonstrate the working of dictionary copy. i.e. Updating dict2 elements and checking the change in dict1.

Output:

Given Dictionary: {10: 'a', 20: [1, 2, 3], 30: 'c'}
New copy: {10: 'a', 20: [1, 2, 3], 30: 'c'}
Updated copy: {10: 10, 20: [1, 2, '45'], 30: 'c'}

Difference between shallow copy and deep copy

It means that any changes made to a copy of the object do not reflect in the original object. In python, this is implemented using “deepcopy()” function. whereas in shallow copy any changes made to a copy of an object do reflect in the original object. In python, this is implemented using the “copy()” function.

Example 1: Using copy()

Unlike copy(), the assignment operator does deep copy. 

Output: 

new:  {}
original:  {1: 'Lazyroar', 2: 'for'}
new:  {}
original:  {}

Example 2: Using copy.deepcopy

Unlike deepcopy(), the assignment operator does deep copy. 

Output: 

new:  {}
original:  {1: 'Lazyroar', 2: 'for'}
new:  {}
original:  {}