In Python, there are two ways to find the difference between two sets: set subtraction and the difference() function. In this blog post, we will discuss how to use the difference() function to find the difference between two sets. We will also provide examples of how to use this function in Python.
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How to Find the Difference between Two Sets
Python has a built-in set type that allows you to store unique values. A set is an unordered collection, so you cannot index it. You can iterate over a set, but the order in which the elements are returned is undefined.
This difference() function returns the difference of two sets as a new set. The Difference between Two Sets is defined as the set of elements that are present in the first set, but not in the second set. Let it be like you can with a list or tuple. However, you can iterate over the elements of a set.
This difference() function takes two sets as arguments and returns a new set that contains the elements from the first set that are not present in the second set.
If you want to find the Difference between Two Sets, you can use either the Set | difference() function or the – operator.
This function is the recommended way to find the Difference between Two Sets and easy to use and understand.
Python Set | difference()
To use the Python Set function, you need to pass two sets as arguments. The first set is the set from which you want to find the difference.
The second set is the setting against which you want to find the difference. the set function returns a new set that contains the elements from the first set that are not present in the second set.
For Example:
Set_A = {'a', 'b', 'c', 'd'}
Set_B = {'c', 'e', 'f'}
Output:
Set_A.difference(Set_B) => {‘a’, ‘b’, ‘d’}
As you can see from the example above, the Python Set function returns a new set that contains the elements from Set_A that are not present in Set_B.
You can also use it to find the Difference between Two Sets of data.
For example:
If you have a list of employees and a list of managers, use this Set function to find the Difference between Two Sets of data that will return a new set that contains the employees who are not managers.
employees = ['John', 'Sam', 'Mike', 'Mary'] managers = ['Mike', 'Mary']
Output:
employees.difference(managers) => {‘John’, ‘Sam’}
As you can see from the example above, the Python Set | difference() function returns a new set that contains the employees who are not managers.
For example:
Integers and a list of floats
If you have a list of integers and a list of floats, you can use the Python Set | difference() function to find the Difference between Two Sets of data. The Python Set | difference() function will return a new set that contains the integers that are not floats.
int_set = {0, 1, 2, -100}
float_set = {0.0, -100.0, 200.0}
Output:
int_set.difference(float_set) => {200.0}
As you can see from the example above, the Python Set | difference() function returns a new set that contains the integers that are not floats.
For example:
Strings and a list of integers
If you have a list of strings and a list of integers, you can use the Python Set | difference() function to find the Difference between Two Sets of data. The Python Set | difference() function will return a new set that contains the strings that are not integers.
string_set = {'a', 'b', 'c'}
int_set = {0, -100, 200}
Output:
string_set.difference(int_set) => {0, -100, 200}
As you can see from the example above, the Python Set | difference() function returns a new set that contains the strings that are not integers.
For example:
If you have a list of tuples and a list of lists, you can use the Python Set | difference() function to find the Difference between Two Sets of data. The Python Set | difference() function will return a new set that contains the tuples that are not listed.
tuple_set = {(0, 'a'), (100, 'b'), (-100, 'c')}
list_set = [[0, 'a'], [100, 'b'], [-100, 'c']]
Output:
tuple_set.difference(list_set) => {[0, ‘a’], [100, ‘b’], [-100, ‘c’]}
As you can see from the example above, difference() function returns a new set that contains the tuples that do not list.
Read More: Python String isalpha() Method: How to Check if a String Contains Only Letters.