Python Convert List to Array

1. Introduction

Python offers a variety of data structures to store data, and while lists are a versatile option, arrays can be a more efficient alternative, especially for numerical data that requires contiguous storage in memory. In Python, the array module provides a space-efficient way of storing basic data types. This blog post will cover the process of converting a list into an array using the array module.

Definition

An array in Python is a compact data structure that stores elements of the same data type. Unlike lists, arrays in Python are not a built-in data structure but are provided by the array module. Converting a list to an array involves creating an array object and initializing it with the elements of the list.

2. Program Steps

1. Import the array module.

2. Determine the data type of the elements in the list.

3. Create an array with the determined data type and initialize it with the elements of the list.

4. Use or manipulate the array as required in your program.

3. Code Program

# Step 1: Import the array module
import array

# Step 2: Determine the data type of the list elements. Here we have a list of integers.
# The 'i' code is used for 'signed int' type.
data_type = 'i'

# Step 3: Create an array with the data type of the elements and initialize with the list elements
my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
my_array = array.array(data_type, my_list)

# Step 4: Print the array
print(my_array)

Output:

array('i', [1, 2, 3, 4, 5])

Explanation:

1. The array module is imported which is necessary to work with arrays in Python.

2. data_type is defined as 'i', which is a type code for signed integers, indicating the type of the elements in the array.

3. my_list is a list of integers that we want to convert into an array. my_array is created by calling array.array() with the type code and the list my_list.

4. The print statement outputs my_array, showing it as an array object with its type code 'i' and the list of integers.