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?

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