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Python for Operations Managers

bookWorking with Operational Data in Python

Operational data, such as daily orders or inventory records, forms the backbone of many processes you manage as an operations manager. In Python, you can represent this type of data using basic structures like lists and dictionaries. A list allows you to store multiple records, while a dictionary is ideal for organizing the details of each record using key-value pairs. For example, you can represent each order as a dictionary with keys like "item", "quantity", and "status", and then store all orders in a list. This approach makes it easy to organize, access, and manipulate operational data efficiently.


              
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# List of dictionaries representing daily orders
orders = [
    {"item": "Widget", "quantity": 10, "status": "shipped"},
    {"item": "Gadget", "quantity": 5, "status": "pending"},
    {"item": "Widget", "quantity": 7, "status": "pending"},
    {"item": "Doodad", "quantity": 3, "status": "shipped"},
]
copy

When you use a list of dictionaries to represent operational data, you gain flexibility in accessing and updating information. To retrieve the quantity or status of a specific order, you can access the dictionary using its keys. To update an order, simply modify the value associated with a key. If you need to summarize the dataβ€”such as calculating the total quantity ordered for each itemβ€”you can loop through the list and aggregate the relevant values. This method is both readable and practical for handling day-to-day operational data in Python.


              
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# Function to calculate total quantity ordered per item
def summarize_orders(orders):
    summary = {}
    for order in orders:
        item = order["item"]
        quantity = order["quantity"]
        summary[item] = summary.get(item, 0) + quantity
    return summary

# Example usage:
totals = summarize_orders(orders)
print(totals)  # Output: {'Widget': 17, 'Gadget': 5, 'Doodad': 3}
copy

1. Why are dictionaries useful for representing operational records in Python?

2. What method would you use to access all values for a specific key in a list of dictionaries?

3. How can you update the status of an order in a list of dictionaries?

question mark

Why are dictionaries useful for representing operational records in Python?

Select the correct answer

question mark

What method would you use to access all values for a specific key in a list of dictionaries?

Select the correct answer

question mark

How can you update the status of an order in a list of dictionaries?

Select the correct answer

Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

SectionΒ 1. ChapterΒ 2

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bookWorking with Operational Data in Python

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Operational data, such as daily orders or inventory records, forms the backbone of many processes you manage as an operations manager. In Python, you can represent this type of data using basic structures like lists and dictionaries. A list allows you to store multiple records, while a dictionary is ideal for organizing the details of each record using key-value pairs. For example, you can represent each order as a dictionary with keys like "item", "quantity", and "status", and then store all orders in a list. This approach makes it easy to organize, access, and manipulate operational data efficiently.


              
1234567

            
# List of dictionaries representing daily orders
orders = [
    {"item": "Widget", "quantity": 10, "status": "shipped"},
    {"item": "Gadget", "quantity": 5, "status": "pending"},
    {"item": "Widget", "quantity": 7, "status": "pending"},
    {"item": "Doodad", "quantity": 3, "status": "shipped"},
]
copy

When you use a list of dictionaries to represent operational data, you gain flexibility in accessing and updating information. To retrieve the quantity or status of a specific order, you can access the dictionary using its keys. To update an order, simply modify the value associated with a key. If you need to summarize the dataβ€”such as calculating the total quantity ordered for each itemβ€”you can loop through the list and aggregate the relevant values. This method is both readable and practical for handling day-to-day operational data in Python.


              
123456789101112

            
# Function to calculate total quantity ordered per item
def summarize_orders(orders):
    summary = {}
    for order in orders:
        item = order["item"]
        quantity = order["quantity"]
        summary[item] = summary.get(item, 0) + quantity
    return summary

# Example usage:
totals = summarize_orders(orders)
print(totals)  # Output: {'Widget': 17, 'Gadget': 5, 'Doodad': 3}
copy

1. Why are dictionaries useful for representing operational records in Python?

2. What method would you use to access all values for a specific key in a list of dictionaries?

3. How can you update the status of an order in a list of dictionaries?

question mark

Why are dictionaries useful for representing operational records in Python?

Select the correct answer

question mark

What method would you use to access all values for a specific key in a list of dictionaries?

Select the correct answer

question mark

How can you update the status of an order in a list of dictionaries?

Select the correct answer

Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

SectionΒ 1. ChapterΒ 2
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