Python Set difference() method

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The Python Set difference() method is used with sets to return a new set containing elements that are present in the first set but not in any of the other sets provided as arguments. It effectively performs a subtraction operation on sets removing elements that appear in the subsequent sets. For example set1.difference(set2) returns a set with elements that are in set1 but not in set2. This method helps in identifying unique elements of a set relative to others by maintaining the property of sets to hold only distinct items.

Syntax

Following is the syntax and parameters of Python Set difference() method −

set1.difference(*others)

Parameter

This function accepts variable number of set objects as parameters.

Return value

This method does not return any value.

Example 1

Following is the basic example which shows the usage of the python set difference() method for comparing the sets −

set1 = {1, 2, 3, 4}
set2 = {3, 4, 5, 6}

result = set1.difference(set2)
print(result)  

Output

{1, 2}

Example 2

In sets we can find the difference of more than two sets at a time. In this example we are using the difference() method for finding the difference between three sets −

set1 = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
set2 = {2, 3}
set3 = {4, 5}

result = set1.difference(set2, set3)
print(result)   

Output

{1}

Example 3

When we try to find the difference between a set with elements and an empty set then it returns the original set and here is the example of it−

set1 = {1, 2, 3}
set2 = set()

result = set1.difference(set2)
print(result)  

Output

{1, 2, 3}

Example 4

Here in this example, as there are no common elements between set1 and set2 so the result is just set1 −

set1 = {1, 2, 3}
set2 = {4, 5, 6}

result = set1.difference(set2)
print(result)  

Output

{1, 2, 3}