Python Dictionary get()

The get() method returns the value of the specified key in the dictionary.

Example

scores = {
    'Physics': 67, 
    'Maths': 87,
    'History': 75
}

result = scores.get('Physics')
print(result) # 67

Syntax of Dictionary get()

The syntax of get() is:

dict.get(key[, value]) 

get() Parameters

get() method takes maximum of two parameters:

  • key - key to be searched in the dictionary
  • value (optional) - Value to be returned if the key is not found. The default value is None.

Return Value from get()

get() method returns:

  • the value for the specified key if key is in the dictionary.
  • None if the key is not found and value is not specified.
  • value if the key is not found and value is specified.

Example 1: How does get() work for dictionaries?

person = {'name': 'Phill', 'age': 22}

print('Name: ', person.get('name'))
print('Age: ', person.get('age')) # value is not provided
print('Salary: ', person.get('salary'))
# value is provided print('Salary: ', person.get('salary', 0.0))

Output

Name:  Phill
Age:  22
Salary:  None
Salary:  0.0

Python get() method Vs dict[key] to Access Elements

get() method returns a default value if the key is missing.

However, if the key is not found when you use dict[key], KeyError exception is raised.

person = {}

# Using get() results in None
print('Salary: ', person.get('salary'))
# Using [] results in KeyError print(person['salary'])

Output

Salary:  None
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "", line 7, in 
    print(person['salary'])
KeyError: 'salary'

Recommended Reading: Python dictionary and how to work with them.

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