Do you know ‘How to delete a variable in Python?’ Well, let’s discuss the Python delete variable & ways to clear Python variables.
Before diving into the process of deleting variables in Python, it’s crucial to grasp the significance of clearing variables in the language. However, if you encounter any difficulties in doing so, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
At CodingZap, we have skilled programming experts who can help you with your Python homework and ensure you overcome any challenges you may face.
Let’s discuss more about deleting a Python variable with the help of code implementation. That will help to clear the topic in a better manner. Also, If you wish to know about the reasons to learn Python, you can read our article and attain more knowledge about Python’s importance.
What Is One Unique Feature Of Python Variable?
Python Variables are generally different from other traditional variables in any programming language. In Python, every variable is treated as an instance. That means the Python variable works as the reference or the pointer to the actual data.
This is the reason, we don’t need to declare the data type of any variable before assigning any values to it. So, you might be getting the difference between normal variables of other programming languages & Python variables. So, there will be some need to delete the Python variable.
How Variable Is Stored In Python?
Now, we have the basic information related to the variables in Python. Before we move to the deleting process, we should understand the storing process of the variables in Python.
In Python, the storing of the variable goes differently. The variable is stored in a stack-like structure. The values associated with the variable are stored in the heap-like structure. Stack is representative of Static Memory & heap is representative of Dynamic Memory.
Static functions play an important role in the coding world in all programming languages. You can check out our article and learn about static functions in C++
So, the use of both Static and Dynamic Memory helps to declare variables in Python. Suppose, another variable is assigned with the same value, then that new variable will refer to the value in the heap.
There is no need to create a new value for it. There are many more advantages of Dynamic Memory in other programming languages as well. Dynamic Memory Allocation in C helps to alter the memory size based on the requirements.
Why Delete Variable Python Is Important In Terms Of Memory Management?
Delete variables in Python is necessary for two reasons. One is memory management & the other is memory allocation. Both things might be similar, but there is a big difference between them. If one can do better memory management, then memory allocation will become an easy task.
The variable concept in Python program is different & if the variables are not deleted after use, they will occupy some spaces in memory. Hence, in the future, no more variables or lists can not be inserted inside the compiler. It will hamper the memory allocation process.
And the memory allocation process will hamper memory management. With time, such things will lead to the Garbage collection process that might remove some important data from the compiler application. So, it will be better to bypass such mistakes.
How To Delete A Variable From Memory In Python?
Now, it is time to discuss the core concept of this article. Here, we will demonstrate some methods that can be useful to remove variables from Python. We will start with very simple methods that can be used on any normal variable.
Later, we will move towards the demonstration of other variable removal processes that can be utilized on other complex elements. But for the time being, let us start with the very basic one.
Using The Del() Function:
For performing delete variable python, there is a special operation that is already available. There is no need to use any user-defined method. There is already an inbuilt method present. This is known as the del() method. However, del() does not have any function.
But still, this can be used as a function. Simply, programmers need to share the variable names as an argument there. Then the variables will be removed from the memory.
General Syntax: del variable-name / del(variable-name)
Code Example To Delete A Variable In Python:
Coding, Zap, One = 20, 30, 10 # Declaration Of Variables
print("Coding: ", Coding, " Zap: ", Zap, " One: ", One) # Normal Printing
del Coding, Zap, One # Deleting Variables
print("Coding: ", Coding, " Zap: ", Zap, " One: ", One) # Again Printing Values
Steps Of The Program:
- Declare some random variables & provide value to them.
- Print the data into the compiler.
- Use the del() function & provide the name of the variables that should be deleted.
- Now, again try to print the variable data.
The steps mentioned above demonstrate how you can delete variables in Python using the Del() function. However, if you find it challenging to comprehend the code and need expert programming guidance, don’t worry. Our team of programming tutors is here to help! They offer personalized 1:1 assistance, ensuring you grasp and understand the code thoroughly.
Let us try to find out the output of the above code. It will help to understand the way to delete a variable in Python using the del() function.
Output:
We can see that the printing operation before deleting the variables works properly, but later it gives giving error. We have used the del() function which deleted all the variables. Now, we are trying to print those values that are deleted. So, the error is coming.
Using Dir() & Globals() Functions:
The dir() & globals() are two concepts that can also delete variables in Python programs. But the implementation is not that easy with the previous one. Here, the process of deleting elements is quite tricky.
The simple use of the dir() function is not going to delete any element from the programs. The dir() function will provide the inbuilt & user-defined functions present in the program. It helps to filter what we want to delete from one program.
If the above program is executed, we will get the inbuilt variables that start with the underscore (__).
Nothing will be done with the use of the dir() function. With the dir() function, one should use the globals()function as well. Simultaneous use of these will help to delete data type elements.
Code To Execute The Dir() & Globals() Functions:
zap = 2023 # Declaration Of Variable
one = dir() # Using dir() function & Making A List
for a in one: # Defining One Loop To Check
if not a.startswith('__'): # Filtering The Inbuilt Variables With Underscore
del globals()[a] # Deleting Global Variables
print(zap) # Try To Print The Old Variable
Steps Of The Program:
- Declare some variables inside of the program along with some values.
- Now, print the values in the program to know the program is running well.
- Now, the dir() function will be used along with one variable.
- Now, one for loop will be implemented that will check the elements of the dir(). If the element is not starting with the underscore(__), it will be caught & deleted using globals().
- Now, again we will try to print any of the elements & find the error message.
Let us try to find out the output of the above code. It will help to understand the way to delete variable Python using the dir() & globals() function.
Output:
In the output, we can see that the variables are deleted successfully with the help of those two functions. It is giving an error message because the variable is now deleted.
Now, after knowing the methods required for deleting any Python variable, it is time to move towards a bit more advanced topic. In this case, we will discuss the deleting process of other kinds of variables and instances in Python. So, let us start our journey!
How To Delete Instance Variable In Python?
Instance variables are a special feature of any Python program. Instance variables are those elements that are associated with any object or instance in any class of Python program. And such variables are only associated with one instance, not more than one.
Suppose, in any car object, you want to put some ID numbers there. So, the ID numbers should be different in each case. In this case, the ID number will be the Instance Variable of that object. And fortunately, the ‘del’ keyword is efficient enough to remove any instance variable.
General Syntax: del instance-name.variable-name
Code to use Del Keyword to delete Instance Variable in Python:
class CodingZap: # Declaring The Class
def __init__(self, value):
self.pe = value
zap = CodingZap("Connect CodingZap!") # Creating Instances
print(zap.pe) # Printing The Variable
del zap.pe # Deleting The Instance
print(zap.pe) # It Will Raise AttributeError
Steps Of The Program:
- First, declare a class where a value will be assigned to a self-variable.
- Now, an instance will be created using some statement which will act as the value.
- Now, using the above syntax delete the instance variable.
- Again, try to access the instance variable. As the variable is now deleted, it will flag the Attribute Error.
Output:
From the above output, we can see that the first print statement is executed correctly. But, later when the instance variable gets deleted, it is prompting the Attribute Error to the code. Hence, the operation is successful here.
How To Delete A Class Variable In Python?
A class variable is a simple item in every coding language where the class concept is present. We are terming the Object Oriented Programming concept here. As per the name of the variable, it is a simple variable that is declared inside of any class to perform certain actions.
Such variables can again be removed from the program after their task is completed. And like every removing problem, we have to use the common solution ‘del’ keyword again in this case. The syntax of the solution itself says how easy the solution can be.
General Syntax: class-name.variable-name
Code to demonstrate the process of removal of any class variable in Python:
class CodingZap: # Declaring The Class & Variable
var = "CodingZap Is The Best!"
print(CodingZap.var) # Printing The Variable
del CodingZap.var # Deleting The Variable
print(CodingZap.var) # It Will Raise AttributeError
Steps Of The Program:
- Declare a class and assign some variables there.
- Now, print the variable value in the program normally.
- After printing the value, use the above syntax to remove the variable details from the code.
- Again try to print the variable value. As it is deleted, it will prompt the Attribute Error.
Output:
The above output clearly shows that the print statement was working the first time when we did not delete the variable from the console. So, the assigning process was correct. Now, after removing it is flagging the error, so the removal process is also completed well.
How To Delete An Element From List In Python?
The list in Python is considered a special data type that can hold different types of elements. In a single list, one can store an integer, string, float & different other elements without any problem. And in any list, removal of any item is as easy as to inset it there.
And in this case, also, the need to use the keyword ‘del’ becomes necessary. Using the keyword ‘del’ along with the list name and element index number, you can easily remove any item. Do check the syntax for operating.
General Syntax: del list-name[element-index-number]
Code to define the use of the Del keyword for the removal of list elements in Python:
codingzap = [10, 20, 30, 40] # List of Elements
print("The List Before Removal: ", codingzap) # Printing List
del codingzap[3] # Deleting Elements
print("The List After Removal: ",codingzap) # Printing List
Steps Of The Program:
- At first, a list will be declared with some values.
- Now, the list data will be printed in the program normally.
- Using the above syntax, we will remove any one element from the list.
- Now, we will again print the list to check the differences.
Output:
From the above output, we can see that in the first case, the entire list of data is printed. However, after executing the removal statement, the element gets deleted. So if we now try to print the list, the said element will be absent there.
Conclusion:
As we saw, it is very important to understand the concept of deleting a variable in Python.
Python deleting variables helps us to work efficiently with problems related to Big Data. We have to use a clear variable Python approach in Data Analytics & more in the future.
Before going for the delete variable in Python, it is advisable to clear the basis of the Python programming language. As this will help to understand & grab the knowledge in an easy & better way.
So, hope you have liked this piece of article. Share your thoughts in the comments section and let us know if we can improve more.
