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Lists – Creation

A list stores an ordered sequence of values inside square brackets

Part of: Python Coding — Module 33, SC in Schools - Introduction to Coding - Python — Module 21, VCE Software Development - U3O1 - Programming — Module 88, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Programming in Python — Module 23, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Data structures in Python — Module 1, VCE Applied Computing U1O2 Programming: Data structures — Module 1, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7c Pseudocode and Flowcharts — Module 80, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Testing and Validating Programs — Module 36, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Modular and Object-Oriented Programming (Python) — Module 17, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Algorithms and Programming Techniques — Module 71, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Programmed Solutions — Module 36, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Interactions Between Users, Data and Digital Systems — Module 46, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Prototype Digital Data Exchanges — Module 21, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Control Structures and Data Types — Module 49

Understanding Lists – Creation in Python

What it does: A list is an ordered collection of items written inside square brackets, like colors = ['red', 'blue', 'green']. An empty list is created with just []. Each item is called an element, and len(list) returns how many elements it contains. Lists can hold any type of value — numbers, strings, even other lists — and the order items are added in is the order they stay in.

Common mistakes: Using parentheses instead of square brackets — colors = ('red', 'blue', 'green') — creates a tuple, not a list, which behaves differently (it can't be changed after creation). Square brackets are what make it a list.

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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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Learning

Duo

How do you create a list?

Square brackets []Parentheses ()

Matches

❌ nums = (1, 2, 3) nums.append(4)

↓

Error: Tuples have no append()

Applying

Meanings

Term

List

Meaning

An ordered collection of items in square brackets.

Practice

colors = ['red', 'blue', 'green']

Testing

Gaps

colors = 'red', 'blue', 'green'

Check Answer

Spots

1# Create a list of colors

2colors = ('red', 'blue', 'green')

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Quick Questions

1. How do you create a list?

A. Square brackets [] ✓

B. Parentheses ()

Lists use [] — parentheses () are for tuples and function calls

2. What does [] create?

A. An empty string

B. An empty list ✓

[] is an empty list — '' is an empty string

3. Can a list hold different types?

A. Yes strings, numbers, booleans, etc. ✓

B. No only one type

Python lists can mix any types freely

4. What does len([1, 2, 3]) return?

A. 2

B. 3 ✓

len() counts the number of items in the list

5. Are list items ordered?

A. Yes they keep their order ✓

B. No random order

Lists maintain insertion order — items stay in the order you put them

Match the Pairs

nums = (1, 2, 3) nums.append(4) → Error: Tuples have no append()

items = [1, 2, 3 print(items) → Error: Missing closing bracket ]

colors = ['red', 'blue', 'green'] → Valid: List of strings

mixed = [1, 'hi', True, 3.5] → Ok: Mixed types in a list

nums = [1, 2, 3] print(len(nums)) → Output: 3

items = [] print(items) → Output: []

Key Term

List

An ordered collection of items in square brackets.~~[]

Fill in the Blanks

1. colors = ['red', 'blue', 'green']

2. numbers = [10, 20, 30] print(len(numbers))

3. empty = []

4. pets = ['cat', 'dog', 'fish']

5. names = ['Alice', 'Bob'] print(names)

Spot the Error

Question 1

A # Create a list of colors

B colors = ('red', 'blue', 'green')

C print('First:', colors[0])

D print('Count:', len(colors))

Line B — Use square brackets [] for lists, not parentheses (tuples)

Question 2

A # Create a list of colors

B colors = {'red', 'blue', 'green'}

C print('First:', colors[0])

D print('Count:', len(colors))

Line B — Use square brackets [] for lists, not curly braces (sets)

Question 3

A # Create a list of colors

B colors = ['red' 'blue' 'green']

C print('First:', colors[0])

D print('Count:', len(colors))

Line B — Items must be separated by commas

Question 4

A # Create a list of numbers

B numbers = [1, 2, 3,]

C print('First:', numbers[0])

D print('Count:', len(numbers))

Line B — Trailing comma is valid Python but unnecessary and sloppy

Question 5

A colors = [red, blue, green]

B print('First:', colors[0])

C print('Count:', len(colors))

D print('Done')

Line A — String items need quotes: without quotes Python looks for variables

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