Using the * and ** unpacking operators in Python

Python Unpacking Operator Tutorial | How to Use \* and \*\* in Python with Lists, Tuples & Dictionaries

Ever wondered what the asterisk (\*) and double asterisk (\*\*) operators mean in Python? In this beginner-to-intermediate Python tutorial, you’ll learn exactly how the unpacking operators work, when to use them, and how they simplify your code. Mastering unpacking is essential for working efficiently with functions, lists, tuples, and dictionaries in Python.

Unpacking operators can make your code cleaner, more readable, and more Pythonic. Let’s break it down step by step with examples!

What You’ll Learn in This Video:

What is the unpacking operator in Python?
How to use \* for unpacking iterables (lists, tuples, strings)
How to use \*\* for unpacking dictionaries
How to use \*args and \*\*kwargs in function definitions
How to merge collections using unpacking
Common use cases and real-world examples

Code Examples from the Video:

Using \* to Unpack a List into a Function

def add(a, b, c):
 return a + b + c

numbers = \[1, 2, 3]
print(add(\*numbers)) # Output: 6

Using \*\* to Unpack a Dictionary into a Function

def greet(name, age):
 print(f"Hello, {name}! You are {age} years old.")

person = {"name": "Alice", "age": 30}
greet(\*\*person)

Merging Lists and Dictionaries

list1 = \[1, 2]
list2 = \[3, 4]
combined = \[\*list1, \*list2]

dict1 = {"a": 1}
dict2 = {"b": 2}
merged = {\*\*dict1, \*\*dict2}

Collecting Extra Arguments with \*args and \*\*kwargs

def demo(\*args, \*\*kwargs):
 print("Positional:", args)
 print("Keyword:", kwargs)

demo(1, 2, a=3, b=4)

Why This Matters:

* Unpacking is powerful for cleaner function calls
* Useful when passing dynamic data
* Essential in data manipulation, API calls, and more

Additional Resources:

Python Docs on Argument Unpacking: [https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/controlflow.html#unpacking-argument-lists](https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/controlflow.html#unpacking-argument-lists)
Real Python Guide to Unpacking: [https://realpython.com/python-kwargs-and-args/](https://realpython.com/python-kwargs-and-args/)

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Mastering unpacking makes your Python code smarter, cleaner, and easier to scale!

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Would you like a follow-up video on advanced unpacking patterns or how to use \* and \*\* in class constructors?