Introduction
A dictionary in Python is a group of things that shops information as key-value pairs. In Python 3.7 and later variations, dictionaries are sorted by the order of merchandise insertion. In earlier variations, they have been unordered.
On this article, we’ll check out how we are able to kind a dictionary on foundation of the values they include.
Type Dictionary Utilizing a for Loop
We are able to kind a dictionary with the assistance of a for loop. First, we use the sorted() perform to order the values of the dictionary. We then loop by way of the sorted values, discovering the keys for every worth. We add these key-value pairs within the sorted order into a brand new dictionary.
Notice: Sorting doesn’t let you re-order the dictionary in place. We’re writing the ordered pairs in a totally new, empty dictionary.
dict1 = {1: 1, 2: 9, 3: 4}
sorted_values = sorted(dict1.values())
sorted_dict = {}
for i in sorted_values:
for okay in dict1.keys():
if dict1[k] == i:
sorted_dict[k] = dict1[k]
print(sorted_dict)
For those who run this with the Python interpreter you’d see:
{1: 1, 3: 4, 2: 9}
Now that we have seen the right way to kind with loops, let us take a look at a extra fashionable different that makes use of the sorted() perform.
Type Dictionary Utilizing the sorted() Operate
We beforehand used the sorted() perform to kind the values of an array. When sorting a dictionary, we are able to cross yet another argument to the sorted() perform like this: sorted(dict1, key=dict1.get).
Right here, key is a perform that is referred to as on every ingredient earlier than the values are in contrast for sorting. The get() methodology on dictionary objects returns the worth of a dictionary’s key.
The sorted(dict1, key=dict1.get) expression will return the checklist of keys whose values are sorted so as. From there, we are able to create a brand new, sorted dictionary:
dict1 = {1: 1, 2: 9, 3: 4}
sorted_dict = {}
sorted_keys = sorted(dict1, key=dict1.get)
for w in sorted_keys:
sorted_dict[w] = dict1[w]
print(sorted_dict)
Utilizing the sorted() perform has lowered the quantity of code we needed to write when utilizing for loops. Nevertheless, we are able to additional mix the sorted() perform with the itemgetter() perform for a extra succinct resolution to sorting dictionaries by values.
Type Dictionary Utilizing the operator Module and itemgetter()
The operator module contains the itemgetter() perform. This perform returns a callable object that returns an merchandise from an object.
For instance, let’s use itemgetter() to create a callable object that returns the worth of any dictionary with a key that is 2:
import operator
dict1 = {1: 1, 2: 9}
get_item_with_key_2 = operator.itemgetter(2)
print(get_item_with_key_2(dict1))
Each dictionary has entry to the gadgets() methodology. This perform returns the key-value pairs of a dictionary as a listing of tuples. We are able to kind the checklist of tuples by utilizing the itemgetter() perform to tug the second worth of the tuple i.e. the worth of the keys within the dictionary.
As soon as it is sorted, we are able to create a dictionary primarily based on these values:
import operator
dict1 = {1: 1, 2: 9, 3: 4}
sorted_tuples = sorted(dict1.gadgets(), key=operator.itemgetter(1))
print(sorted_tuples)
sorted_dict = {okay: v for okay, v in sorted_tuples}
print(sorted_dict)
With a lot much less effort, we’ve a dictionary sorted by values!
Because the key argument accepts any perform, we are able to use lambda features to return dictionary values to allow them to be sorted. Let’s have a look at how.
Type Dictionary Utilizing a Lambda Operate
Lambda features are nameless, or anonymous, features in Python. We are able to use lambda features to get the worth of a dictionary merchandise with out having to import the operator module for itemgetter(). If you would like to be taught extra about lambdas, you may examine them in our information to Lambda Capabilities in Python.
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Let’s kind a dictionary by values utilizing a lambda perform within the key argument of sorted():
dict1 = {1: 1, 2: 9, 3: 4}
sorted_tuples = sorted(dict1.gadgets(), key=lambda merchandise: merchandise[1])
print(sorted_tuples)
sorted_dict = {okay: v for okay, v in sorted_tuples}
print(sorted_dict)
Notice that the strategies we have mentioned thus far solely work with Python 3.7 and later. Let’s have a look at what we are able to do for earlier variations of Python.
Returning a New Dictionary with Sorted Values
After sorting a dictionary by values, to maintain a sorted dictionary in Python variations earlier than 3.7, it’s important to use the OrderedDict – out there within the collections module. These objects are dictionaries that maintain the order of insertion.
This is an instance of sorting and utilizing OrderedDict:
import operator
from collections import OrderedDict
dict1 = {1: 1, 2: 9, 3: 4}
sorted_tuples = sorted(dict1.gadgets(), key=operator.itemgetter(1))
print(sorted_tuples)
sorted_dict = OrderedDict()
for okay, v in sorted_tuples:
sorted_dict[k] = v
print(sorted_dict)
Conclusion
This tutorial confirmed how a dictionary may be sorted primarily based on its values. We first sorted a dictionary utilizing two for loops. We then improved our sorting by utilizing the sorted() perform. We have additionally seen the itemgetter() perform from the operator module could make our resolution extra succinct.
Lastly, we tailored our resolution to work on Python variations decrease than 3.7.
Variations of the sorted() perform are the preferred and dependable to kind a dictionary by values.
