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Python Set symmetric_difference() Function

The Set symmetric_difference() method returns a new set containing all items from both the sets, except common items.

note

The symmetric difference is actually the union of the two sets, minus their intersection.

note

If you want to modify the original set instead of returning a new one, use symmetric_difference_update() method.

Syntax​

my_set.symmetric_difference(set)

symmetric_difference() Parameters​

Python Set symmetric_difference() function parameters:

ParameterConditionDescription
setRequiredA set for symmetric difference
note

You can also pass iterables like list, tuple, dictionary or string. In that case, symmetric_difference() method first converts the iterables into sets and then computes the symmetric difference.

symmetric_difference() Return Value​

Python Set symmetric_difference() function returns a new set containing the elements that are unique to each of the sets being compared, excluding any elements that are common to both sets.

Examples​

Example 1: Symmetric Difference of Two Sets with symmetric_difference() method​

A = {'Tom', 'Anna', 'David'}
B = {'David', 'Tom'}

result = A.symmetric_difference(B)

print(result) # Output: {'Anna'}

output

{'Anna'}

Example 2: Symmetric Difference between Multiple Sets​

The symmetric_difference() method does not allow to compute the symmetric difference between multiple sets.

A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}
B = {3, 4, 5, 6, 7}
C = {6, 7, 8, 9, 10}

result = A.symmetric_difference(B, C)

output

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "main.py", line 5, in <module>
    result = A.symmetric_difference(B, C)
TypeError: symmetric_difference() takes exactly one argument (2 given)

However, using ^ operator, you can find symmetric difference between multiple sets.

Example 3: Symmetric Difference between a Set and a List​

You can also pass iterables like list: symmetric_difference() first converts the iterables to sets and then computes the symmetric difference.

For example:

# create a Set A
A = {'a', 'e', 'i', 'o', 'u'}

# create a List B
B = ['d', 'e', 'f']

print(A.symmetric_difference(B)) # Output: {'f', 'i', 'u', 'a', 'd', 'o'}

output

{'f', 'i', 'u', 'a', 'd', 'o'}

Example 4: Symmetric Difference between a Set and a Tuple​

You can also pass iterables like tuple: symmetric_difference() first converts the iterables to sets and then computes the symmetric difference.

For example:

# create a Set A
A = {'a', 'e', 'i', 'o', 'u'}

# create a Tuple B
B = ('d', 'e', 'f')

print(A.symmetric_difference(B)) # Output: {'f', 'i', 'u', 'a', 'd', 'o'}

output

{'f', 'i', 'u', 'a', 'd', 'o'}

Example 5: Symmetric Difference between a Set and a Dictionary​

You can also pass iterables like dictionary: symmetric_difference() first converts the iterables to sets and then computes the symmetric difference.

note

The dictionary keys are used for symmetric_difference(), not the values!

For example:

# create a Set A
A = {'a', 'e', 'i', 'o', 'u'}

# create Dictionary B and C
B = {1: 'd', 2: 'e', 3: 'f'}
C = {'d': 1, 'e': 2, 'f': 3}

print(A.symmetric_difference(B)) # Output: {1, 2, 3, 'o', 'a', 'i', 'u', 'e'}
print(A.symmetric_difference(C)) # Output: {'o', 'a', 'f', 'i', 'u', 'd'}

output

{1, 2, 3, 'o', 'a', 'i', 'u', 'e'}
{'o', 'a', 'f', 'i', 'u', 'd'}

Example 6: Symmetric Difference between a Set and a String​

You can also pass iterables like string: symmetric_difference() first converts the iterables to sets and then computes the symmetric difference.

For example:

# create a Set A
A = {'a', 'e', 'i', 'o', 'u'}

# create a String B
B = 'def'

print(A.symmetric_difference(B)) # Output: {'a', 'f', 'u', 'o', 'i', 'd'}

output

{'a', 'f', 'u', 'o', 'i', 'd'}

Equivalent Operator ^ for symmetric_difference()​

Symmetric difference can be performed with the ^ operator as well, providing an alternative to the symmetric_difference() method.

A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
B = {3, 4, 5, 6, 7}

# by symmetric_difference() method
print(A.symmetric_difference(B)) # Output: {1, 2, 6, 7}

# by ^ operator
print(A ^ B) # Output: {1, 2, 6, 7}

output

{1, 2, 6, 7}
{1, 2, 6, 7}

Moreover, you can use the ^ operator with multiple sets:

A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}
B = {3, 4, 5, 6, 7}
C = {6, 7, 8, 9, 10}

# by ^ operator
print(A ^ B ^ C) # Output: {1, 2, 6, 7}

output

{1, 2, 6, 7}

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