Python 3 reference · List Methods

Python List pop() Method

Remove and return the item at a position, the last item by default. Raises IndexError on an empty list.

Syntax

list.pop(index=-1)

Parameter	Description
`index` optional	Position of the item to remove. Default: `-1`

The removed item.

Pop from the end or frontTry it yourself

stack = [1, 2, 3]
print(stack.pop(), stack)
print(stack.pop(0), stack)

Output

3 [1, 2]
1 [2]

Process items until emptyTry it yourself

todo = ["write", "test", "ship"]
while todo:
    print("doing", todo.pop(0))

Output

doing write
doing test
doing ship

Version	Change
Python 3.0	Added

list.append() · Add one item to the end of a list, changing the list in place. Returns None.
list.remove() · Remove the first item equal to a value. Raises ValueError if the value is not in the list.
list.insert() · Insert an item at a given position, shifting later items to the right. Index 0 adds to the front.
dict.pop() · Remove a key and return its value. Returns the default if given and the key is missing; otherwise raises KeyError.
Python Lists · tutorial