Python Dictionary pop() Method

The pop() method removes and returns the value of a specified key from a dictionary.

Syntax

dictionary.pop(key, default)

Parameters

key: The key of the item to remove from the dictionary.

default (Optional): The value to return if the key is not found in the dictionary. If not provided, and the key is not found, a KeyError is raised.

Return value

The value associated with the specified key.

If the key is not found, and the default is provided, it returns the default value.

If the key is not found, and the default is not provided, a KeyError is raised.

Example 1: Basic Usage

person = {"name": "James", "age": 35, "city": "New York"}

removed_item = person.pop("city")
print(removed_item) # Output: New York
print(person) # Output: {'name': 'James', 'age': 35}

Example 2: Using Default Value

person = {"name": "James", "age": 35}

removed_item = person.pop("city", "Not found")
print(removed_item) # Output: Not found
print(person) # Output: {'name': 'James', 'age': 35}

Example 3: Missing key without default value

person = {"name": "James", "age": 35}

removed_item = person.pop("city") # Raises KeyError

Example 4: Handling KeyError

You can handle KeyError using try-except block.

person = {"name": "James", "age": 35}

try:
    removed_item = person.pop("city")
    print(removed_item)
except KeyError:
    print("Key not found!")

Output:

Key not found!