Python: Create a shallow copy of a given list

Last update on April 02 2025 12:32:08 (UTC/GMT +8 hours)

1. Shallow Copy of List

Write a Python program to create a shallow copy of a given list. Use copy.copy

Sample Solution:

Python Code:

import copy
nums_x = [1, [2, 3, 4]]
print("Original list: ", nums_x)
nums_y = copy.copy(nums_x)
print("\nCopy of the said list:")
print(nums_y)
print("\nChange the value of an element of the original list:")
nums_x[1][1] = 10
print(nums_x)
print("\nSecond list:")
print(nums_y)
nums =  [[1], [2]]
nums_copy = copy.copy(nums)
print("\nOriginal list:")
print(nums)
print("\nCopy of the said list:")
print(nums_copy)
print("\nChange the value of an element of the original list:")
nums[0][0] = 0
print("\nFirst list:")
print(nums)
print("\nSecond list:")
print(nums_copy)

Sample Output:

Original list:  [1, [2, 3, 4]]

Copy of the said list:
[1, [2, 3, 4]]

Change the value of an element of the original list:
[1, [2, 10, 4]]

Second list:
[1, [2, 10, 4]]

Original list:
[[1], [2]]

Copy of the said list:
[[1], [2]]

Change the value of an element of the original list:

First list:
[[0], [2]]

Second list:
[[0], [2]]

Flowchart:

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

• Write a Python program to create a shallow copy of a list containing mutable elements using copy.copy, then modify a nested element in the original list and observe the effect on the copy.
• Write a Python function that creates a shallow copy of a list using copy.copy, appends a new element to the original list, and prints both lists to show that the top-level structure of the copy remains unchanged.
• Write a Python script to compare the id() of a list and its shallow copy created with copy.copy, and then print whether they refer to the same object at the top level.
• Write a Python program to create a shallow copy of a list and then iterate over both the original and the copy, printing each element's id() to demonstrate shared references for nested objects.

Python Code Editor:

Have another way to solve this solution? Contribute your code (and comments) through Disqus.

Previous: Python module Exercises Home.
Next: Write a Python program to create a deep copy of a given list.