Understanding append() Function in Python with Example

Python supports object-oriented programming and has concise, readable, and easy-to-learn syntax. It is no wonder that it is one of the most popular programming languages. The append function in Python is built into the programming language.

It is typically found in the list class and offers ingenious functionality to add new items to the list and introduces flexibility. It also helps enhance the efficiency of the program significantly.

The append in Python is a method that helps attach a single element to the end of an already-existing Python list. There are several benefits of using lists in Python, for instance, it is similar to arrays in other languages. Further, such lists are mutable, meaning that they can be changed and updated even after the list has been created.

In this article, we explain what is the append() function in Python, its syntax, examples, and how to use it.

Also read: Sum Function in Python

What Is the append() Function in Python and What Does Append Do in Python?

The append in Python takes a single item as an input parameter and adds it to the end of the given list. In Python, append() doesn’t return a new list of items; in fact, it returns no value at all. It just modifies the original list by adding the item to the end of the list.

After executing append() on a list, the size of the original list increases by one. The item in the list can be a string, number, dictionary, or even another list (because a list is an object too). When a list is appended to the original list, it is added as a single object. The addition of the appended list happens, as usual, at the end of the original list.

The append() Function in Python: Syntax

list.append(item)

• Parameters: item is the only parameter append() takes, and it is the item to be added at the end of the list.
• Returns: append() doesn’t return any value. It just adds the item to the end of the list.

The append() Function in Python: Example

Here, we take a look at how to use the append function in Python next time you need it:

How to Use the append() Function in Python

The append() function in Python adds a single element to the end of a list. It’s used as list. append(element), where list is your list and element is the item you want to add. For example:

1# Add a string element to the string list:
2stringList = ['mon', 'tue', 'wed', 'thu']
3print(stringList)
4stringList.append('fri')
5print(stringList)
6
7# Add an int element to the string list:
8stringList.append(8)
9print(stringList)
10
11# Add an int element to the int list:
12intList = [0, 2, 4, 6]
13print(intList)
14intList.append(8)
15print(intList)
16
17# Add a string element to the int list:
18intList.append('fri')
19print(intList)

['mon', 'tue', 'wed', 'thu']
['mon', 'tue', 'wed', 'thu', 'fri']
['mon', 'tue', 'wed', 'thu', 'fri', 8]
[0, 2, 4, 6]
[0, 2, 4, 6, 8]
[0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 'fri']

1# Appending a list as an item onto the original list
2
3stringList = ['mon', 'tue', 'wed', 'thu', 'fri']
4print(stringList)
5
6listToAppend = ['sat', 'sun']
7print(listToAppend)
8
9# Appending listToAppend onto stringList
10stringList.append(listToAppend)
11print(stringList)
12
13# We can access the elements from the appended list in the same way we access elements from a 2-D Matrix.
14print(stringList[5][0])
15print(stringList[5][1])

['mon', 'tue', 'wed', 'thu', 'fri']
['sat', 'sun']
['mon', 'tue', 'wed', 'thu', 'fri', ['sat', 'sun']]
sat
sun

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FAQs on the append() Function in Python

How can we append to a list in Python?
You can use extend(), append(), and itertools.chain() depending on your needs to append to a list in Python.

What’s the difference between the insert() and append() functions in Python?
In Python, insert() allows you to insert an element to the list at any index of your choice. In contrast, append() appends the element only at the end of the list.

What’s the difference between the extend() and append() functions in Python?
Unlike append() in Python, which adds a single element to the end of the list, extend() iterates over its parameter, adds each element to the list and extends the list.

Does append() function in Python make a copy of the list?
No. append() modifies the original list. It does not create a copy of the list.

What parameters does the append() function in Python take, and what does it return?
Python’s append() function takes a single parameter, the item to append. It returns no value or list as it modifies the original list by appending the item at the end of the list.

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