Time Complexity for Adding Element in Python Set vs List Last Updated : 19 Dec, 2024 Summarize Comments Improve Suggest changes Share Like Article Like Report Adding elements differs due to their distinct underlying structures and requirements for uniqueness or order. Let's explore and compare the time complexity by adding elements to lists and sets. In this article, we will explore the differences in time complexities between a Set and a List if we add an element to that. Adding elements in Python SetWhen we add an element in the set using add () method , Python computes its hash to check if it’s already in the set quickly. This allows sets to perform fast O(1) membership checks, avoiding the need for slower searches. Python a = {1, 2, 3} # Add element a.add(4) print(a) Output{1, 2, 3, 4} Explanation :Initializes a set and adds the 4 to the set. Since sets do not allow duplicates, it will only add 4 if it's not already in the set.Time complexity:O(1) for initializing a set is constant time and adding an elements.O(n) for printing the list, as it requires iterating through all elements.Adding Elements in Python ListWhen we add an element to a list using the append() method, Python directly adds the element to the end. This operation has O(1) amortized time complexity, as no hashing or duplicate checks are needed. Python a = [1, 2, 3] #Add element a.append(4) print(a) Output[1, 2, 3, 4] Explanation:Initializes a list and adds 4 to the list using the append() method. Lists allow duplicates, so 4 will be added even if it already exists in the list.Time Complexity:O(1) for initialization and adding an element using append().O(n) for printing the list, as it requires iterating through all elements.Compare Time Complexity for Adding Element in Python Set vs ListFeaturePython SetPython ListAverage Time Complexity (Adding)O(1)( for add())O(1) (for append())Worst Time Complexity (Adding)O(n) (rare, due to hash collisions)O(n) (for resizing when appending)Element LookupO(1) (efficient)O(n) (searching through the list)Memory UsageMore memory due to hash table overheadLess memory usage for dynamic arrays Comment More infoAdvertise with us Next Article Time Complexity of A List to Set Conversion in Python H harshitmongre Follow Improve Article Tags : Python Python Programs python-list python-set Practice Tags : pythonpython-listpython-set Similar Reads Time Complexity to Convert a Set to List in Python Concerting a set to a list involves iterating through the elements of the set and adding them to a list. The time complexity of this operation is linear and depends on the size of the set. Let's denote the size of the set as n. The time complexity to convert a set to a list generally takes O(n) time 3 min read Time Complexity of A List to Set Conversion in Python The time complexity of converting a list to a set is predominantly determined by the underlying hash function used by the set data structure. The average-case time complexity is O(n), where n is the number of elements in the list. In this article, we will see compare different scenarios in which we 5 min read Python - Test if any set element exists in List Given a set and list, the task is to write a python program to check if any set element exists in the list. Examples: Input : test_dict1 = test_set = {6, 4, 2, 7, 9, 1}, test_list = [6, 8, 10] Output : True Explanation : 6 occurs in list from set. Input : test_dict1 = test_set = {16, 4, 2, 7, 9, 1}, 4 min read Python - Add list elements to tuples list Sometimes, while working with Python tuples, we can have a problem in which we need to add all the elements of a particular list to all tuples of a list. This kind of problem can come in domains such as web development and day-day programming. Let's discuss certain ways in which this task can be don 6 min read Difference between List VS Set VS Tuple in Python In Python, Lists, Sets and Tuples store collections but differ in behavior. Lists are ordered, mutable and allow duplicates, suitable for dynamic data. Sets are unordered, mutable and unique, while Tuples are ordered, immutable and allow duplicates, ideal for fixed data. List in PythonA List is a co 2 min read Python | Adding N to Kth tuple element Many times, while working with records, we can have a problem in which we need to change the value of tuple elements. This is a common problem while working with tuples. Let's discuss certain ways in which N can be added to Kth element of tuple in list. Method #1 : Using loop Using loops this task c 3 min read Like