How to Print Lists in Python

1. Use the map() Function to Print Lists in Python
2. Use the * Operator to Print Lists in Python
3. Use a for Loop to Print Lists in Python
4. Use the join() Method to Print Lists in Python

In Python, four types of built-in data types are used to store multiple elements as a collection. These are lists, tuples, sets, and dictionaries. Here, lists are used very often by any user. As lists already store data in sequence, there are different ways of printing them to make them look more presentable and easy to read.

This tutorial will demonstrate different ways of printing a list in Python.

Use the map() Function to Print Lists in Python

The map() function is a built-in feature in Python. This command, also known as mapping, is used to manipulate all the elements in an iteration or a sequence without using any kind of loop. This function basically converts one type of iterable into another type. See the example below.

list = [5, 10, 15, 20, 25]
print(list)

print("After using the mapping technique: ")
print("\n".join(map(str, list)))

Output:

[5, 10, 15, 20, 25]
After using the mapping technique:   
5
10
15
20
25

In the program above, note that the join() method was implemented. The join() function in Python is used to join elements of any iterable with the help of a string separator. The string separator used above is \n,, which is the new line character used to denote the end of a line. It’s why every element is in a different line in the output.

Use the * Operator to Print Lists in Python

The * operator is the most commonly used operator of the many operators present in Python. Except for performing multiplication, the * operator is used to print each element of a list in one line with a space between each element.

Along with the * operator, the new line character \n can also be used with the help of the sep = parameter in the print statement itself. The sep = parameter basically provides a separator between the strings. Check out the sample code below.

list = [5, 10, 15, "Twenty", 25]
print(list)
print("After using the * operator: ")
print(*list)

Output:

[5, 10, 15, 'Twenty', 25]
After using the * operator:
5 10 15 Twenty 25

The new line character \n can be used with the help of sep = in the last print statement after placing a comma after *list.

Use a for Loop to Print Lists in Python

The for loop is commonly used in any programming language. It is used to iterate over a sequence like a tuple, a dictionary, a list, a set, or a string and execute for each and every element present in the sequence.

Example:

list = [5, 10, 15, "Twenty", 25]
print("After using for loop:")
for l in list:
    print(l)

Output:

[5, 10, 15, 'Twenty', 25]
After using for loop:
5
10
15
Twenty
25

Here, the for loop executes over each and every element present in the given list.

Use the join() Method to Print Lists in Python

The join() function in Python is used to join elements of any iterable like a list, a tuple, or a string with the help of a string separator; this method returns a concatenated string as an output. Look at the example below.

list = ["Five", "Ten", "Fifteen", "Twenty"]
print(" ".join(list))

Output:

Five Ten Fifteen Twenty