Python next() Builtin Function

Python next()

Python next() builtin function is used to get the next item from the given iterator object.

In this tutorial, we will learn about the syntax of Python next() function, and learn how to use this function with the help of examples.

Syntax

The syntax of next() function is

next(iterator[, default])

where

Parameter	Required/ Optional	Description
iterator	Required	An iterator object.
default	Optional	Default value if the next item is not available.

Returns

The function returns the item.

Examples

1. Next Item of Iterator

In this example, we take a list, get the iterator for this list, and call next function with this iterator passed as argument.

Python Program

x = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
iterator = iter(x)
print(next(iterator))
print(next(iterator))

Output

apple
banana

2. No Next Item of Iterator

In this example, we take a list, get the iterator for this list, and call next function many times more than the items in the iterator. If there is no next item available, then interpreter raises StopIteration.

Python Program

x = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
iterator = iter(x)
print(next(iterator))
print(next(iterator))
print(next(iterator))
print(next(iterator))

Output

pple
banana
cherry
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/Users/tutorialkart/Desktop/Projects/PythonTutorial/Example.py", line 6, in <module>
    print(next(iterator))
StopIteration

3. Next Item of Iterator with Default Value

If we provide default value to next(), and if next item is not available in the iterator, then next() returns the default value.

Python Program

x = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
iterator = iter(x)
print(next(iterator, "nothing"))
print(next(iterator, "nothing"))
print(next(iterator, "nothing"))
print(next(iterator, "nothing"))

Output

apple
banana
cherry
nothing

Conclusion

In this Python Tutorial, we have learnt the syntax of Python next() builtin function, and also learned how to use this function, with the help of Python example programs.