Python | max method
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Python's max(~) method has two use cases:
When used with an iterable it returns the largest item in the iterable.
When used with multiple arguments, it returns the largest item out of the arguments.
Parameters
Used with an iterable
1. iterable | iterable
The iterable to retrieve the largest item for.
2. key | function | optional
Function to specify the ordering criteria. The function should take a single argument and return a key to use for ordering.
3. default | object | optional
The object to return if the provided iterable is empty.
Used with multiple arguments
1. arg1 | object
An object to use for comparison.
2. arg2 | object
An object to use for comparison.
3. args | object | optional
Unlimited number of objects to use for comparison.
4. key | function | optional
Function to specify the ordering criteria. The function should take a single argument and return a key to use for ordering.
Return value
The return value depends on the following cases:
Case | Return value |
|---|---|
Used with an iterable | Largest item in the iterable |
Used with multiple arguments | Largest item out of the arguments |
Examples
Used with an iterable
To return the largest number in list x:
x = [4, 3, 9, 2, 11, 6]max(x)
11
To return the largest item from list languages when ordered alphabetically:
languages = ['Spanish', 'French', 'English', 'Mandarin']max(languages)
Spanish
Used with multiple arguments
To return the largest number from the provided arguments:
max(4, 3, 9, 2, 11, 6)
11
Key parameter
To return the largest item based on alphabetical order of the second letter of each element in iterable:
def check_second_letter(a): return a[1]languages = ['Spanish', 'French', 'English', 'Mandarin']max(languages, key=check_second_letter)
'French'
French is returned as its second letter 'r' is the highest in terms of alphabetical order.
Default parameter
To return 'List is Empty' if the languages iterable is empty:
languages = []max(languages, default='List is Empty')
List is Empty
Note that the default parameter is only applicable to the case when max method is used with an iterable input.
