Updates the set by keeping only elements found in either set, but not in both
Usage
The symmetric_difference_update() method updates the set by keeping only elements found in either set, but not in both.
If you don’t want to update the original set, use symmetric_difference() method.
The symmetric difference is actually the union of the two sets, minus their intersection.
Syntax
set.symmetric_difference_update(set)
| Parameter | Condition | Description |
| set | Required | A set to find difference in |
Basic Example
# Update A by adding items from B, except common items
A = {'red', 'green', 'blue'}
B = {'yellow', 'red', 'orange'}
A.symmetric_difference_update(B)
print(A)
# Prints {'blue', 'orange', 'green', 'yellow'}
Equivalent Operator ^=
You can achieve the same result by using the ^= augmented assignment operator.
A = {'red', 'green', 'blue'}
B = {'yellow', 'red', 'orange'}
A ^= B
print(A)
# Prints {'blue', 'orange', 'green', 'yellow'}