showing an empty python dictionary

empty_dictionary.py

# Python 2.7
# By Joe
# Below is a basic review of dictionaries in Python
# starting with an empty dictionary, then adding information to it

# Example:
# MAKE AN EMPTY DICTIONARY
john = {}    

# ADDING KEY-VALUE PAIRS TO THE DICTIONARY
john['last_name'] = 'smith'      

# RETURNING ALL KEY-VALUE PAIRS IN THE DICTIONARY
    # Now, let's show the key-value pair in the dictionary
print(john)
    # would return {'last_name': 'smith'}
    # is same as:  {'key': 'value}

# ACCESS VALUES BY CALLING ITS KEY
    # Let's say you wanted to search a dictionary that had a whole lot of data (like thousands or more of dictionary items)
    # Depending on how specific, this searching could take a very long time
    # If you knew the key, you could access that and get its associated value returned
    # for example:
    
print(john['last_name'])
  # would return that key's value
  
  # You can relate this in the real-world by searching for one word in a very large dictionary, glossary, or encyclopedia
  # You COULD search each word starting from the beginning (would take quite a while)
  # OR you could use different search methods: Look up the starting letter of the word (or key)
  # This narrows your search down a bit
  # Now you can just search for the word (key) in that selection to get its VALUE