Python slice()

The slice() in Python is a built-in function that returns a slice object and slices any sequence such as string, tuple, list, bytes, range.

slice() Syntax 

The syntax of the slice() is:

slice(start, stop, step)

slice() Parameters

The slice() method can take three parameters.

• start (optional) – Starting integer where the slicing of the object starts. If omitted, defaults to None.
• stop – Ending index where the slicing of object stops. The slicing stops at index stop -1 (last element).
• step (optional) – An optional argument determines the increment between each index for slicing. If omitted, defaults to None.

Note: If only one parameter is passed, then both start and step will default to None.

slice() Return Value

The slice() method returns a sliced object containing elements in the given range. 

Note: We can use slice with any object which supports sequence protocol which means an object that implements __getitem__() and __len()__ method.

Example 1: Python slice string Get substring using slice object

# Python program to demonstrate slice() operator

# String slicing
str = 'ItsMyPythonCode'
s1 = slice(3)
s2 = slice(5, 11,1)

print(str[s1])
print(str[s2])

Output

Its
Python

Example 2: Get substring using negative index

 In Python, negative sequence indexes represent positions from the end of the array. The slice() function can take negative values, and in the case of a negative index, the iteration starts from end to start.

# Python program to demonstrate slice() operator

# String slicing
str = 'ItsMyPythonCode'
s1 = slice(-4)
s2 = slice(-5, -11,-1)

print(str[s1])
print(str[s2])

Output

ItsMyPython
nohtyP

Example 3: Python slice list or Python slice array

# Python program to demonstrate slice() operator

# List slicing
lst = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
s1 = slice(3)
s2 = slice(1, 5, 2)

print(lst[s1])
print(lst[s2])


# Negative list slicing

s1 = slice(-3)
s2 = slice(-1, -5, -2)

print(lst[s1])
print(lst[s2])

Output

[1, 2, 3]
[2, 4]
[1, 2]
[5, 3]

Example 4: Python slice tuple

# Python program to demonstrate slice() operator

# Tuple slicing
tup = (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
s1 = slice(3)
s2 = slice(1, 5, 2)

print(tup[s1])
print(tup[s2])


# Negative Tuple slicing

s1 = slice(-3)
s2 = slice(-1, -5, -2)

print(tup[s1])
print(tup[s2])

Output

(1, 2, 3)
(2, 4)
(1, 2)
(5, 3)