How to swap the values of two variables without using a temporary variable in Python?

Question

Aryan Kumar · Answer

There are a few ways to swap the values of two variables without using a temporary variable in Python. Here are two methods:
Method 1: Using arithmetic operators
Python
def swap_variables_without_temp(a, b):
 a = a + b
 b = a - b
 a = a - b
 return a, b
a = 10
b = 20
print("Before swapping:")
print("a = ", a)
print("b = ", b)
a, b = swap_variables_without_temp(a, b)
print("After swapping:")
print("a = ", a)
print("b = ", b)
Method 2: Using bitwise XOR
Python
def swap_variables_without_temp_using_xor(a, b):
 a = a ^ b
 b = a ^ b
 a = a ^ b
 return a, b
a = 10
b = 20
print("Before swapping:")
print("a = ", a)
print("b = ", b)
a, b = swap_variables_without_temp_using_xor(a, b)
print("After swapping:")
print("a = ", a)
print("b = ", b)
Both methods work by using the fact that the XOR operator returns 1 when the two operands are different, and 0 when the two operands are the same. In the first method, the values of a and b are added together, and then subtracted from each other. This effectively swaps the values of a and b. In the second method, the values of a and b are XORed together, and then XORed again. This also effectively swaps the values of a and b.
Which method you use to swap the values of two variables without using a temporary variable depends on your specific needs. If you need to swap the values of two variables that are of different data types, then the first method is a good option. If you need to swap the values of two variables that are of the same data type, then the second method is a good option.

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How to swap the values of two variables without using a temporary variable in Python?

Steilla Mitchel

1 Answers

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