Python Set difference()

The difference() method computes the difference of two sets and returns items that are unique to the first set.

Example


difference() Syntax

The syntax of the difference() method is:

A.difference(B)

Here, A and B are two sets.


difference() Parameter

The difference() method takes a single argument:

  • B - a set whose items are not included in the resulting set

difference() Return Value

The difference() method returns:

  • a set with elements unique to the first set

Example 1: Python Set difference()

Output

Set Difference (A - B) = {'b', 'a', 'd'}
Set Difference (B - A) = {'g', 'f'}

In the above example, we have used the difference() method to compute the set differences of two sets A and B. Here,

  • A.difference(B) - returns a set with elements unique to set A
  • B.difference(A) - returns a set with elements unique to set B

Note: Mathematically, the operation A.difference(B) is equivalent to A - B.


Example 2: Set Difference Using - Operator

We can also find the set difference using - operator in Python. For example,

Output

{'b', 'd', 'a'} 
{'f', 'g'}

Here, we have used the - operator to compute the set difference of two sets A and B.