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Python Python Basics (2015) Python Data Types Naming Things

Andrés Leal
Andrés Leal
9,563 Points
Posted by Andrés Leal
Andrés Leal
9,563 Points

When to use "del" ?

When is useful to apply the "del" function in a Python program?

Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,456 Points

First, it isn't a function, it is a keyword (just so you know). I never ever use del, but you might just encounter it in other peoples' programs.

Hope it helps! ~xela888

Andrés Leal
Andrés Leal
9,563 Points
Andrés Leal
Andrés Leal
9,563 Points

Shouldn't it be called a function since how it is called or how it was created at first by python! Thanks btw

Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,456 Points

BTW are you using Python 2 or Python 3? I use Python 3, and in Python 3 del is a keyword.

Andrés Leal
Andrés Leal
9,563 Points
Andrés Leal
Andrés Leal
9,563 Points

Python 2.7 Should I update to Python 3?

Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,456 Points

Yes, you should update it. Kenneth Love (the Python teacher) is teaching in Python 3, so please install it. You can install it at www.python.org. Kenneth Love also will teach you how to install it!

Hope it helps! ~xela888

2 Answers

Jennifer Nordell
seal-mask
STAFF
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Jennifer Nordell
Treehouse Teacher
Jennifer Nordell
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Jennifer Nordell
Treehouse Teacher

According to the Python documentation del is not a function but rather a statement built-in to Python to handle data structures. You can find more information here.

https://docs.python.org/2/tutorial/datastructures.html

Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,456 Points

Thx

A X
A X
12,842 Points
A X
A X
12,842 Points

As a further clarification question, you'd really only use del in the Python shell right? You'd never see it otherwise?

Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,456 Points

So um I never use it actually