Python - Maximum record value key in dictionary

Python – Maximum record value key in dictionary

Last Updated : 22 Apr, 2020

Sometimes, while working with dictionary records, we can have problem in which we need to find the key with maximum value of particular key of nested records in list. This can have application in domains such as web development and Machine Learning. Lets discuss certain ways in which this task can be performed.

Method #1 : Using loop
This is brute force way in which this task can be performed. In this, we iterate through each key for keys and assign to max, the maximum of required key in nested record.

# Python3 code to demonstrate working of  
# Maximum record value key in dictionary 
# Using loop 
  
# initializing dictionary 
test_dict = {'gfg' : {'Manjeet' : 5, 'Himani' : 10}, 
             'is' : {'Manjeet' : 8, 'Himani' : 9}, 
             'best' : {'Manjeet' : 10, 'Himani' : 15}} 
  
# printing original dictionary 
print("The original dictionary is : " + str(test_dict)) 
  
# initializing search key 
key = 'Himani'
  
# Maximum record value key in dictionary 
# Using loop 
res = None
res_max = 0
for sub in test_dict: 
    if test_dict[sub][key] > res_max: 
        res_max = test_dict[sub][key] 
        res = sub 
  
# printing result  
print("The required key is : " + str(res))  

Output :

The original dictionary is : {‘best’: {‘Himani’: 15, ‘Manjeet’: 10}, ‘gfg’: {‘Himani’: 10, ‘Manjeet’: 5}, ‘is’: {‘Himani’: 9, ‘Manjeet’: 8}}
The required key is : best

Method #2 : Using max() + lambda function
This is one liner approach to solve this problem. In this, we perform the task of iteration using max key argument, passing a lambda function which binds the required logic.

# Python3 code to demonstrate working of  
# Maximum record value key in dictionary 
# Using max() + lambda function 
  
# initializing dictionary 
test_dict = {'gfg' : {'Manjeet' : 5, 'Himani' : 10}, 
             'is' : {'Manjeet' : 8, 'Himani' : 9}, 
             'best' : {'Manjeet' : 10, 'Himani' : 15}} 
  
# printing original dictionary 
print("The original dictionary is : " + str(test_dict)) 
  
# initializing search key 
key = 'Himani'
  
# Maximum record value key in dictionary 
# Using max() + lambda function 
res = max(test_dict, key = lambda sub: test_dict[sub][key]) 
  
# printing result  
print("The required key is : " + str(res))  

Output :

The original dictionary is : {‘best’: {‘Himani’: 15, ‘Manjeet’: 10}, ‘gfg’: {‘Himani’: 10, ‘Manjeet’: 5}, ‘is’: {‘Himani’: 9, ‘Manjeet’: 8}}
The required key is : best

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.

My Personal Notes

Related Articles