# Lists

## Lists

A list is a data structure in Python that can contain multiple elements of any of the other data type. A list is defined with square brackets [ ] and commas , between elements.

>>> lst = [ 1, 2, 3 ]
>>> type(lst)
list

>>> lst = [ 1, 5.3, '3rd_Element']
>>> type(lst)
list


### Indexing Lists

Individual elements of a list can be accessed or indexed using bracket [ ] notation. Note that Python lists start with the index zero, not the index 1. For example:

>>> lst = ['statics', 'strengths', 'dynamics']
>>> lst[0]
'statics'

>>> lst[1]
'strengths'

>>> lst[2]
'dynamics'

Remember! Python lists start indexing at [0] not at [1]. To call the elements in a list with 3 values use: lst[0], lst[1], lst[2].

Colons : are used inside the square brackets to denote all

>>> lst = [2, 4, 6]
>>> lst[:]
[2, 4, 6]


Negative numbers can be used as indexes to call the last number of elements in the list

>>> lst = [2, 4, 6]
>>> lst[-1]
6


The colon operator can also be used to denote all upto and from thru end.

>>> lst = [2, 4, 6]
>>> lst[:2]
[2, 4]

lst = [2, 4, 6]
lst[2:]
[6]


The colon operator can also be used to denote start : end + 1. Note that the indexing here in not inclusive. lst[1:3] will return the 2nd element, and 3rd element but not the fourth even though 3 is used in the index.

Remember! Python indexing is not inclusive. The last element called in an index will not be returned.