Nested list

Definition

A nested list is a list that contains other lists as its elements. It allows for the creation of multi-dimensional data structures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Nested lists can be accessed using multiple indices, e.g., `nested_list[i][j]`.
2. They are useful for representing matrices or grids in Python.
3. You can use loops to iterate over elements in a nested list, including nested loops for deeper layers.
4. Nested lists can contain lists of different lengths and types of elements, providing flexibility.
5. List comprehensions can be used to flatten nested lists or perform operations on them.

Review Questions

• How do you access an element in a nested list?
• What are some common uses for nested lists in programming?
• Can a nested list contain elements other than lists? Give an example.

Related terms

Indexing:

The process of accessing an element from a list using its position within square brackets, e.g., `list[i]`.

List Comprehension:

A concise way to create lists by iterating over iterable objects and optionally including conditionals.

Matrix: $$\text{A two-dimensional array often represented by a nested list where each sublist has the same length.}$$