Python Set Operations (Union, Intersection, Difference and Symmetric Difference)

Sets are a fundamental data structure in Python that store unique elements. Python provides built-in operations for performing set operations such as union, intersection, difference and symmetric difference. In this article, we understand these operations one by one.

Union of sets

The union of two sets combines all unique elements from both sets.

Syntax:

set1 | set2 # Using the '|' operator

set1.union(set2) # Using the union() method

Example:

using '|': {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}
using union(): {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

Explanation: | operator and union() method both return a new set containing all unique elements from both sets .

Intersection of sets

The intersection of two sets includes only the common elements present in both sets.

Syntax:

set1 & set2 # Using the '&' operator

set1.intersection(set2) # Using the intersection() method

Example:

using '&': {3, 4}
using intersection(): {3, 4}

Explanation: & operator and intersection() method return a new set containing only elements that appear in both sets.

Difference of sets

The difference between two sets includes elements present in the first set but not in the second.

Syntax:

set1 - set2 # Using the '-' operator

set1.difference(set2) # Using the difference() method

using '-': {1, 2}
using difference(): {1, 2}

Explanation: - operator and difference() method return a new set containing elements of A that are not in B.

Symmetric Difference of sets

The symmetric difference of two sets includes elements that are in either set but not in both.

Syntax:

set1 ^ set2 # Using the '^' operator

set1.symmetric_difference(set2) # Using the symmetric_difference() method

Example:

using '^': {1, 2, 5, 6}
using symmetric_difference(): {1, 2, 5, 6}

Explanation:^ operator and symmetric_difference() method return a new set containing elements that are in either A or B but not in both.