Python Array Module – How to Create and Import Array in Python

Today in this Python Array Tutorial, we will learn about arrays in Python Programming. Here, we will discuss how Python array import module and how can we create Array.

Along with this, we will cover the Python Array Class Modules and Data Items.

Python Array Module – Data Items & Modules

What is a Python Array Module?

Python array module gives us an object type that we can use to denote an array. This is a collection of a type of values.

In a way, this is like a Python list, but we specify a type at the time of creation.

Here’s a list of such type codes-

How to Import Python Array Module?

If a Python array is installed on your machine, you can import it as:

>>> import array

How to Create a Python Array?

You can create an array using the following piece of code-

class array.array(typecode[,initializer])

This creates a new array with items of the type specified by the type code. You can optionally provide an initializer value- a list.

Let’s try creating an array in Python.

>>> arr=array.array('i',[1,3,4])
>>> arr

Output

>>> array.array('u', 'hello \u2641')

Output

Python Array Class – Data Items

The class array has the following data items-

Python Arrays Class – Data Items

1. array.typecodes

This is a string with all available type codes- the ones in the table above.

>>> array.typecodes

Output

2. array.typecode

This gives us the type code character we used when creating the array in Python.

>>> arr.typecode

Output

3. array.itemsize

This returns the number of bytes one item from the Python array takes internally.

>>> arr.itemsize

Output

Python Array Class – Methods

Now, which methods does Array Class support? Here you go:

Python Array Class – Methods

1. array.append(x)

This appends the item x to the array.

>>> arr.append(2)
>>> arr

Output

2. array.buffer_info()

This returns a tuple that holds the address in memory and the length of elements in the buffer that holds the contents of the array.

>>> arr.buffer_info()

Output

3. array.byteswap()

This performs an operation of bytes wap on an array.

>>> arr.byteswap()
>>> arr

Output

4. array.count(x)

Let’s find out how many 3s there are in our Python array.

>>> arr=array.array('i',[1,3,2,4,3,5])
>>> arr.count(3)

Output

5. array.extend(iterable)

This attaches the iterable to the end of the array in Python.

>>> arr.extend([7,9,8])
>>> arr

Output

But if you add another array, make sure it is the same type. The following code throws an error.

>>> arr.extend(array.array('u',['H','e','l','l','o']))

Output

6. array.fromlist(list)

This appends item from a list to the Python arrays.

>>> arr.fromlist([9,0])
>>> arr

Output

7. array.fromunicode(s)

This appends the Unicode string to the one we call it on- this should be Unicode too.

>>> unicodearr=array.array('u','Hello')
>>> unicodearr

Output

>>> unicodearr.fromunicode(' world')
>>> unicodearr

Output

8. array.index(x)

This returns the index for the first occurrence of x in the Python array.

>>> arr=array.array('i',[1,3,2,4,3,5])
>>> arr.index(3)

Output

9. array.insert(I,x)

>>> arr.insert(2,7)
>>> arr

Output

This inserts the element 7 at index 2.

10. array.pop(i)

This lets us drop the element at the position i.

>>> arr.pop(2)

Output

11. array.remove(x)

This will let you remove the first occurrence of an element from the Python array.

>>> arr.remove(3)
>>> arr

Output

12. array.reverse()

This reverses the Python array.

>>> arr.reverse()
>>> arr

Output

13. array.tobytes()

This returns a representation in bytes of the values of the array in Python.

This is the same as array.tostring(), which is deprecated.

>>> arr.tobytes()

Output

14. array.tolist()

This converts the array into a list.

>>> arr.tolist()

Output

15. array.tounicode()

This converts an array to a Unicode string. You need a Unicode array for this.

>>> unicodearr.tounicode()

Output

Python Array – More Information

Python Arrays are space-efficient collections of numeric values that are uniformly-typed. You can:

Python Arrays Module – More Information

1. How to Index an Array in Python?

>>> arr

Output

>>> arr[1]

Output

2. Slice an array

>>> arr[1:4]

Output

3. Concatenate two arrays in Python

>>> arr+arr

Output

4. Multiply an array by a constant

>>> arr*2

Output

So, this was all about Python Arrays Tutorial. Hope you like our explanation

Python Interview Questions on Array Module

1. What is array module in Python?
2. How do you display an array in Python?
3. How to use an array module in Python?
4. What is the difference between array and list in Python?
5. How to read an array in Python?

Conclusion

Hence, while Python does not have arrays as a primary data structure, it does provide a module to let us work with arrays.