How to make a copy of the array in Python

Learn how to make a copy of an array in Python with an example, from shallow to deep copying.

Making a Copy of an Array in Python

Making a copy of an array in Python is a straightforward process. We can use the built-in method list.copy() or the operator [] to copy an array. Let's go over how to use each of these methods.

Using list.copy()

Using the list.copy() method is the simplest way to make a copy of an array. List.copy() returns a shallow copy of the array, meaning that it only copies the values of the array, not the references. Here is an example of how to use list.copy():

# Create an array
my_array = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

# Make a copy of the array
my_array_copy = my_array.copy()

# Print out the copy of the array
print(my_array_copy)

# Output: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

As you can see, the copy of the array is exactly the same as the original array.

Using the Operator []

We can also use the operator [] to copy an array. This method is slightly more complex than the list.copy() method, but it is still relatively straightforward. Here is an example of how to use the operator [] to make a copy of an array:

# Create an array
my_array = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

# Make a copy of the array
my_array_copy = my_array[:]

# Print out the copy of the array
print(my_array_copy)

# Output: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

As you can see, the result of using the operator [] is the same as the result of using list.copy() - a shallow copy of the array.

In summary, making a copy of an array in Python is a straightforward process. We can use either the list.copy() method or the operator [] to make a shallow copy of the array. Both of these methods are relatively easy to use and understand.