Python - Copy Lists

Copy a List

You cannot copy a list simply by typing list2 = list1, because: list2 will only be a reference to list1, and changes made in list1 will automatically also be made in list2.

There are ways to make a copy, one way is to use the built-in List method copy().

Example

Make a copy of a list with the copy() method:

thislist = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
mylist = thislist.copy()
print(mylist)

Try it Yourself »

Another way to make a copy is to use the built-in method list().

Example

Make a copy of a list with the list() method:

thislist = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
mylist = list(thislist)
print(mylist)

Try it Yourself »

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