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Dictionaries – Methods (keys, values, items, get)

Dictionary methods return views or values: .keys(), .values(), .items(), and .get()

Part of: Python Coding — Module 38, VCE Software Development - U4O1 - development and evaluation — Module 40, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Data structures in Python — Module 7, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Interactions Between Users, Data and Digital Systems — Module 49, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Control Structures and Data Types — Module 59

Understanding Dictionaries – Methods (keys, values, items, get) in Python

What it does: .get(key, default) is safe — returns the default instead of raising a KeyError. .items() returns (key, value) tuples — great for iterating with unpacking. .keys() gives the left side of each pair — the lookup labels. The second argument to .get() is the fallback when the key is missing. pop() both removes the key and gives you its value in one step. update() merges another dict in — new keys are added, existing ones overwritten. len() counts the number of key-value pairs, not the total characters. in checks keys by default — use 'name' in d.values() to check values.

Common mistakes: It's keys() with an 's': not key(). It's values() with an 's': not value().

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 31–40) and word search (Modules 21–40).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning

Duo

What does .keys() return?

All the keysAll the values

Matches

❌ d = {'a': 1} d.get('b') print(d['b'])

↓

Error: .get() doesn't add the key

Applying

Meanings

Term

.keys()

Meaning

Returns all keys in the dictionary.

Practice

d = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}

Testing

Gaps

print(d.( ))

Check Answer

Spots

1d = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}

2all_keys = d.key()

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Quick Questions

1. What does .keys() return?

A. All the keys ✓

B. All the values

.keys() gives the left side of each pair — the lookup labels

2. What does .values() return?

A. All the values ✓

B. All the keys

.values() gives the right side — the data stored under each key

3. What does .items() return?

A. Key-value pairs as tuples ✓

B. Just keys

.items() gives both together — each pair as a (key, value) tuple

4. d.get('x', 0) what happens if 'x' doesn't exist?

A. KeyError

B. Returns 0 (the default) ✓

The second argument to .get() is the fallback when the key is missing

5. d.get('x') what if 'x' doesn't exist and no default?

A. KeyError

B. Returns None ✓

.get() never raises KeyError — it returns None if no default is given

Match the Pairs

d = {'a': 1} d.get('b') print(d['b']) → Error: .get() doesn't add the key

d = {'x': 5} d.pop('y') → Error: Key 'y' not in dict

d.get('missing', 0) → Valid: Returns 0 if key absent

for k, v in d.items(): print(k, v) → Ok: Loop over key-value pairs

d = {'a':1,'b':2} print(list(d.keys())) → Output: ['a', 'b']

d = {'a':1} print(d.get('b', 99)) → Output: 99

Key Term

.keys()

Returns all keys in the dictionary.~~.values()

Fill in the Blanks

1. d = {'a': 1, 'b': 2} print(d.keys( ))

2. d = {'a': 1, 'b': 2} print(d.values( ))

3. d = {'a': 1} print(d.get('b', 0))

4. d = {'x': 10} val = d.pop('x')

5. d = {'a': 1} d.update({'b': 2})

Spot the Error

Question 1

A d = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}

B all_keys = d.key()

C print('Keys:', all_keys)

D print('Done')

Line B — It's keys() with an 's': not key()

Question 2

A d = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}

B all_vals = d.value()

C print('Values:', all_vals)

D print('Done')

Line B — It's values() with an 's': not value()

Question 3

A d = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}

B all_items = d.item()

C print('Items:', all_items)

D print('Done')

Line B — It's items() with an 's': not item()

Question 4

A d = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}

B val = d.get['b']

C print('Value:', val)

D print('Done')

Line B — Use parentheses () to call methods, not square brackets []

Question 5

A result = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}.pop()

B label = 'Dict'

C print('Result:', result)

D print('Done')

Line A — dict.pop() requires a key argument: which key to remove?

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