Swap of two numbers in python

Photo by Rodrigo Santos

Swapping two numbers in Python is quite simple and can be done in a few different ways. Here are a few methods you can use:

1. Using a Temporary Variable

This is the traditional method:

# Define two numbers
a = 5
b = 10
# Print original values
print("Before swap: a =", a, "b =", b)

# Use a temporary variable to swap
temp = a
a = b
b = temp
# Print swapped values
print("After swap: a =", a, "b =", b)

2. Using Tuple Unpacking

This is a more Pythonic way:

# Define two numbers
a = 5
b = 10
# Print original values
print("Before swap: a =", a, "b =", b)
# Swap using tuple unpacking
a, b = b, a

# Print swapped values
print("After swap: a =", a, "b =", b)

3. Using Arithmetic Operations

This method avoids using a temporary variable but can be less readable:

# Define two numbers
a = 5
b = 10
# Print original values
print("Before swap: a =", a, "b =", b)

# Swap using arithmetic operations
a = a + b
b = a - b
a = a - b
# Print swapped values
print("After swap: a =", a, "b =", b)

4. Using XOR Bitwise Operator

This method is a bit more advanced and uses bitwise operations:

# Define two numbers
a = 5
b = 10
# Print original values
print("Before swap: a =", a, "b =", b)

# Swap using XOR
a = a ^ b
b = a ^ b
a = a ^ b
# Print swapped values
print("After swap: a =", a, "b =", b)

The tuple unpacking method is often preferred for its clarity and simplicity in Python.