Python Program to Access Dictionary Items

Introduction

A dictionary in Python is a collection of key-value pairs, where each key is associated with a value. Accessing dictionary items involves retrieving the value associated with a specific key. This tutorial will guide you through creating a Python program that accesses items in a dictionary.

Example:

Dictionary: {'name': 'John', 'age': 25, 'city': 'New York'}
Accessing ‘name’: John
Accessing ‘age’: 25

Problem Statement

Create a Python program that:

Creates a dictionary with key-value pairs.
Accesses and displays the value associated with a specific key.
Handles cases where the key might not exist in the dictionary.

Solution Steps

Create a Dictionary: Initialize a dictionary with some key-value pairs.
Access a Dictionary Item: Use the key to access the value associated with it in the dictionary.
Handle Non-Existent Keys: Use the get() method or exception handling to manage cases where the key does not exist.
Display the Accessed Value: Use the print() function to display the value associated with the specified key.

Python Program

# Python Program to Access Dictionary Items
# Author: https://www.rameshfadatare.com/

# Step 1: Create a dictionary with key-value pairs
my_dict = {
    'name': 'John',
    'age': 25,
    'city': 'New York',
    'profession': 'Engineer'
}

# Step 2: Access dictionary items using keys
key_to_access = input("Enter the key you want to access: ")

# Step 3: Handle non-existent keys and access the value
value = my_dict.get(key_to_access, "Key not found in the dictionary.")

# Step 4: Display the accessed value
print(f"The value for '{key_to_access}' is: {value}")

Explanation

Step 1: Create a Dictionary with Key-Value Pairs

A dictionary my_dict is created with some key-value pairs such as 'name': 'John', 'age': 25, 'city': 'New York', and 'profession': 'Engineer'.

Step 2: Access Dictionary Items Using Keys

The input() function prompts the user to enter the key they want to access. This input is stored in the variable key_to_access.

Step 3: Handle Non-Existent Keys and Access the Value

The get() method is used to access the value associated with the key. If the key is not found, a default message "Key not found in the dictionary." is returned.

Step 4: Display the Accessed Value

The print() function is used to display the value associated with the specified key, or the default message if the key does not exist.

Output Example

Example 1:

Enter the key you want to access: name
The value for 'name' is: John

Example 2:

Enter the key you want to access: age
The value for 'age' is: 25

Example 3:

Enter the key you want to access: country
The value for 'country' is: Key not found in the dictionary.

Conclusion

This Python program demonstrates how to access items in a dictionary using keys. It also shows how to handle cases where the key might not exist using the get() method, making the program more robust and user-friendly. Understanding how to access dictionary items is crucial for effectively working with dictionaries in Python.