index() is an inbuilt function in Python, which searches for a given element from the start of the list and returns the lowest index where the element appears.
Syntax :
list_name.index(element, start, end)
Parameters :
element - The element whose lowest index will be returned. start (Optional) - The position from where the search begins. end (Optional) - The position from where the search ends.
Returns :
Returns lowest index where the element appears.
Error :
If any element which is not present is searched, it returns a ValueError
Code #1 :
Python3
# Python3 program for demonstration # of list index() method list1 = [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 1 , 1 , 1 , 4 , 5 ] # Will print the index of '4' in list1 print (list1.index( 4 )) list2 = [ 'cat' , 'bat' , 'mat' , 'cat' , 'pet' ] # Will print the index of 'cat' in list2 print (list2.index( 'cat' )) |
Output :
3 0
Code #2 :
Python3
# Python3 program for demonstration # of index() method list1 = [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 1 , 1 , 1 , 4 , 5 ] # Will print index of '4' in sublist # having index from 4 to 8. print (list1.index( 4 , 4 , 8 )) # Will print index of '1' in sublist # having index from 1 to 7. print (list1.index( 1 , 1 , 7 )) list2 = [ 'cat' , 'bat' , 'mat' , 'cat' , 'get' , 'cat' , 'sat' , 'pet' ] # Will print index of 'cat' in sublist # having index from 2 to 6 print (list2.index( 'cat' , 2 , 6 )) |
Output :
7 4 3
Code #3 :
Python3
# Python3 program for demonstration # of list index() method # Random list having sublist and tuple also list1 = [ 1 , 2 , 3 , [ 9 , 8 , 7 ], ( 'cat' , 'bat' )] # Will print the index of sublist [9, 8, 7] print (list1.index([ 9 , 8 , 7 ])) # Will print the index of tuple # ('cat', 'bat') inside list print (list1.index(( 'cat' , 'bat' ))) |
Output :
3 4
Code #4 : ValueError
Python3
# Python3 program for demonstration # of index() method error list1 = [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 1 , 1 , 1 , 4 , 5 ] # Return ValueError print (list1.index( 10 )) |
Output :
Traceback (most recent call last): File "/home/b910d8dcbc0f4f4b61499668654450d2.py", line 8, in print(list1.index(10)) ValueError: 10 is not in list
Code #5 : When 2 arguments are passed
When two arguments are passed in the index function, the first argument is treated as the element to be searched and the second argument is the index from where the searching begins.
list_name.index(element , start)
Python3
# Python3 program for demonstration # of index() method list1 = [ 6 , 8 , 5 , 6 , 1 , 2 ] # Will print index of '3' in sublist # having index from 1 to end of the list. print (list1.index( 6 , 1 )) |
Output :
3
Code #6: The end index passed as argument is not included
The third argument which is the end, itself is not included in the range from start to end, i.e the searching takes place from start to end-1 index.
Python3
# Python3 program for demonstration # of index() method list1 = [ 6 , 2 , 14 , 8 , 9 , 10 ] # return error as index '4' is not included in the range # having index from 1 to 4. print (list1.index( 9 , 1 , 4 )) |
Output:
Traceback (most recent call last): File "/home/3cbe5b7d0595ab3f8564f16af7a15172.py", line 9, in <module> print(list1.index(9 , 1 , 4)) ValueError: 9 is not in list
Python3
# Python3 program for demonstration # of index() method list1 = [ 6 , 2 , 14 , 8 , 9 , 10 ] # Will print index of '4' in sublist as now index '4' is included # having index from 1 to 5. print (list1.index( 9 , 1 , 5 )) |
Output:
4
Attention geek! Strengthen your foundations with the Python Programming Foundation Course and learn the basics.
To begin with, your interview preparations Enhance your Data Structures concepts with the Python DS Course.