Difference between Python Dictionary copy and = Operator

In this article, we will show you, what is the difference between Python Dictionary copy and = Operator with practical examples.

Python Dictionary copy will shallow copy the dictionary items to completely new dictionary. Where as, = operator will create an instance of the existing dictionary.

TIP: Please refer Dictionary article to understand everything about Dictionaries.

Difference between Python Dictionary copy and = Operator Example 1

In this example, we are showing, how we can use these two option to copy the dictionary items to new dictionary. As you can see, they both are giving same result.

# Difference between Python Dictionary copy and = Operator

emp = {'name': 'John', 'age': 25 , 'job': 'HR', 'Sal': 725000}

print("Dictionary: ", emp)
print("Dictionary Length: ", len(emp))

newEmp = emp.copy()
print("\nDictionary: ", newEmp)
print("Dictionary Length: ", len(newEmp))

newEmp2 = emp
print("\nDictionary: ", newEmp2)
print("Dictionary Length: ", len(newEmp2))

OUTPUT

Difference between Dictionary copy and = Operator in Python Example 2

In this program, we are using clear function to remove the items from dictionary. If you observe closely, when we removed items from emp, newEmp2 is also returning empty set.

# Difference between Python Dictionary copy and = Operator

emp = {'name': 'John', 'age': 25 , 'job': 'HR', 'Sal': 725000}

print("Dictionary: ", emp)
print("Dictionary Length: ", len(emp))

newEmp = emp.copy()
print("\nDictionary: ", newEmp)
print("Dictionary Length: ", len(newEmp))

newEmp2 = emp
print("\nDictionary: ", newEmp2)
print("Dictionary Length: ", len(newEmp2))

emp.clear()
print("\nDictionary: ", newEmp)
print("Dictionary Length: ", len(newEmp))

print("\nDictionary: ", newEmp2)
print("Dictionary Length: ", len(newEmp2))

OUTPUT