Python array methods are functions available for manipulating arrays created using the array module, which stores homogeneous data types efficiently. These methods allow you to add, remove, search, and modify elements in an array.

Core Array Methods

• append(x): Adds an element x to the end of the array.

• extend(iterable): Appends all elements from an iterable (e.g., list, tuple) to the end of the array.

• insert(i, x): Inserts element x at index i.

• remove(x): Removes the first occurrence of element x.

• pop([i]): Removes and returns the element at index i (or the last element if no index is specified).

• index(x[, start[, stop]]): Returns the index of the first occurrence of x within the specified range.

• count(x): Returns the number of times x appears in the array.

Utility and Conversion Methods

• reverse(): Reverses the order of elements in the array.

• tolist(): Converts the array to a standard Python list.

• fromlist(list): Appends elements from a list to the array.

• tobytes(): Returns the array's contents as a bytes object.

• frombytes(buffer): Appends items from a bytes-like object to the array.

• fromfile(f, n): Reads n items from file object f and appends them.

• tofile(f): Writes all items to file object f.

Important Notes

• Arrays in Python are homogeneous—all elements must be of the same type, defined by a type code (e.g., 'i' for integers, 'f' for floats).

• The array module is distinct from standard lists, which are more flexible but less memory-efficient.

• For numerical computing, NumPy arrays are preferred, offering additional methods like .sum(), .mean(), .reshape(), and .sort().

💡 Example:

import array
arr = array.array('i', [1, 2, 3])
arr.append(4)
arr.insert(1, 5)
print(arr.tolist())  # Output: [1, 5, 2, 3, 4]