Iterating over dictionary in Python and using each value

Iterating over a dictionary in Python is a very common task, especially when you want to process or transform its data. A dictionary stores information in key-value pairs, so depending on your need, you can loop through just the keys, just the values, or both at the same time.

The most basic way is to loop through the keys:

my_dict = {"name": "Alice", "age": 25, "city": "New York"}  

for key in my_dict:  

    print(key, my_dict[key])

This gives you both the key and its value by accessing my_dict[key].

Python also provides more explicit methods:

• Iterating over keys: for key in my_dict.keys(): gives you all the keys.
  
• Iterating over values: for value in my_dict.values(): is useful when you only care about the values.
  
• Iterating over key-value pairs: for key, value in my_dict.items(): is the most Pythonic way, since it directly gives you both elements.
  

Some important points to keep in mind:

• Efficient looping: Using .items() is often the best choice because it avoids repeatedly looking up values.
  
• Real-world usage: Helpful for tasks like transforming data, summing numeric values, or formatting results.
  
• Flexibility: You can combine loops with conditions to filter or modify specific values.
  

In short, iterating over dictionaries in Python is flexible and efficient. Whether you need just keys, just values, or both, Python offers clear methods that make working with dictionary data straightforward.