Python dictionary setdefault - Difference of get and setdefault

Python dictionary setdefault(), which is similar to get(), returns the value of a given key.

d = {
    'book': 97,
    'pen': 145,
}

a = d.setdefault('book')

print(a)  # 97

It's understandable so far.

Set the default value in the dictionary

d = {
    'book': 97,
    'pen': 145,
}

a = d.setdefault('chair', 28)

print(d)  # {'book': 97, 'pen': 145, 'chair': 28}
print(a)  # 28

setdefault() adds the key and value to the dictionary and returns this value if it doesn't have the key. d doesn't have chair so ('chair', 28) is added. get() doesn't add but only return.

• setdefault() returns the value if the dictionary has the key
• setdefault() adds the key and value if the dictionary doesn't have the key, and returns the value of new key.

setdefault() is an "advanced" and complex version of get().