How to Zip Differently Sized Lists in Python Using Iteration Repetition?

Zipping Differently Sized Lists with Iteration Repetition

When working with lists of varying lengths, zipping them together can pose a challenge. The default zip() function in Python pairs elements from the shorter list with those from the longer list, leaving the remaining elements from the longer list unpaired. To address this limitation, we can harness the power of iteration repetition.

Using itertools.cycle for Seamless Repetition

One effective way to repeat the shorter list is by utilizing the itertools.cycle function. This function creates an iterator that endlessly loops through the elements of an iterable, even after exhaustion. By incorporating cycle into our zipping operation, we can ensure that the shorter list repeats itself until the longer list is fully covered.

Code Implementation

Utilizing itertools.cycle to zip differently sized lists is straightforward. The following code snippet demonstrates its implementation:

<code class="python">import itertools

A = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
B = ["A", "B", "C"]

from itertools import cycle
zip_list = zip(A, cycle(B)) if len(A) > len(B) else zip(cycle(A), B)

for item in zip_list:
    print(item)</code>

Output Breakdown

Executing the provided code produces the following output:

(1, 'A')
(2, 'B')
(3, 'C')
(4, 'A')
(5, 'B')
(6, 'C')
(7, 'A')
(8, 'B')
(9, 'C')

As we can observe, the shorter list B repeats itself until all elements from the longer list A are paired up. This seamless repetition ensures that no elements are left unpaired, allowing us to perform operations on entire lists without any data loss.

The above is the detailed content of How to Zip Differently Sized Lists in Python Using Iteration Repetition?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!