The del Keyword

In Python, you can remove keys from a dictionary using the del keyword. This allows you to delete specific entries or even clear the entire dictionary. Let's explore how this works using a library-related example.


              123456789101112
            
book = {
    "title": "Pride and Prejudice",
    "author": "Jane Austen",
    "year": 1813,
    "genre": "Romance",
    "copies": 5
}

# Deleting a key value
del book["copies"]

print(book)

Deleting the Entire Dictionary

If you want to delete the entire dictionary, you can do so with del. However, be careful—this action removes the dictionary completely, and any further reference to it will raise an error.


              1234567891011
            
book = {
    "title": "Pride and Prejudice",
    "author": "Jane Austen",
    "year": 1813,
    "genre": "Romance"
}

# Deleting the entire dictionary
del book
# Attempting to print the dictionary after deletion will cause an error
print(book)  # This line will raise a NameError

Task

Swipe to show code editor

The isbn key (International Standard Book Number) was incorrectly added. Use the del keyword to remove it from the dictionary.

Switch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below

Everything was clear?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 2. Chapter 6

The del Keyword


              123456789101112
            
book = {
    "title": "Pride and Prejudice",
    "author": "Jane Austen",
    "year": 1813,
    "genre": "Romance",
    "copies": 5
}

# Deleting a key value
del book["copies"]

print(book)

Deleting the Entire Dictionary

If you want to delete the entire dictionary, you can do so with del. However, be careful—this action removes the dictionary completely, and any further reference to it will raise an error.


              1234567891011
            
book = {
    "title": "Pride and Prejudice",
    "author": "Jane Austen",
    "year": 1813,
    "genre": "Romance"
}

# Deleting the entire dictionary
del book
# Attempting to print the dictionary after deletion will cause an error
print(book)  # This line will raise a NameError

Task

Swipe to show code editor

The isbn key (International Standard Book Number) was incorrectly added. Use the del keyword to remove it from the dictionary.

Switch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below

Everything was clear?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 2. Chapter 6

Switch to desktop for real-world practiceContinue from where you are using one of the options below