Python makes it easy to find the first element of a list. In this blog post, we will show you how to get this. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
what is a list in Python?
A list is a data type that stores a sequence of values. It is similar to an array in other languages, but Python’s lists are more flexible than arrays. You can store any type of value in a list, and the values do not have to be the same data type.
Because a list usually contains more than one element, it’s a good idea to make the name of your list plural, such as letters, digits, or names.In Python, square brackets ([]) indicate a list, and individual elements in the list are separated by commas.
Example: a list of numbers called nums: nums = [0, -12, 17, 99]
Get the first element of list using list[0] in Python
The best way to get the first element of a list in Python is using the list[0]. Python lists are zero-indexed. The first element has an index of 0, the second element has an index of 1. The list[0] is the most preferable, shortest, and Pythonic way to get the first element.
Lists are ordered collections, so you can access any element in a list by telling Python the position, or index, of the item desired. To access an element in a list, write the name of the list followed by the index of the item enclosed in square brackets.
The second item in a list has an index of 1. Using this counting system, you can get any element you want from a list by subtracting one from its position in the list. For instance, to access the fourth item in a list, you request the item at index 3.
Tips about list index in Python
Python lists are zero-indexed, which means that the first item in a list has an index of 0. If you want to get the second item in a list, you would use the index 1. The third item in a list has an index of 2, and so on.
One thing to keep in mind is that the index of the last item in a list is one less than the total number of items in the list. For instance, if we have a list with 5 items, the last index would be 4.
Another thing to note is that adding or removing items from a list can change the indices of all subsequent items in the list. So, if you are referencing an item in a list and the index changes, the item you are referencing may no longer be the one you want.
See also: Mastering the Linux Command Line — Your Complete Free Training Guide
How to get the index of one element in Python?
The index method is used to find the position of a particular value in a list. The index of the first element in a list is 0, the index of the second element is 1, and so on. Suppose we want to find the position of the number 17 in the list nums:
index = nums.index(17)
print(“Index of 17 is: ” + str(index))
The output would be: Index of 17 is: 2
