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Subset and Superset Relations

Zero-dependency Python snippets for checking subset and superset relations using the standard library.

3 snippets available in this sub-category.

Simple

Check if set is subset

set subset issubset data-structures

Check if all elements of set_a are in set_b

set_a = {1, 2}
set_b = {1, 2, 3, 4}
print(set_a <= set_b)  # True
print(set_a.issubset(set_b))  # True

Notes

  • <= operator or issubset() method
  • True if set_a is subset of set_b

Check if set is superset

set superset issuperset data-structures

Check if set_a contains all elements of set_b

set_a = {1, 2, 3, 4}
set_b = {2, 3}
print(set_a >= set_b)  # True
print(set_a.issuperset(set_b))  # True

Notes

  • = operator or issuperset() method

  • True if set_a is superset of set_b

Complex

Proper subset and superset

set proper-subset proper-superset data-structures

Check for proper subset/superset (not equal)

set_a = {1, 2}
set_b = {1, 2, 3}
print(set_a < set_b)  # True (proper subset)
print(set_b > set_a)  # True (proper superset)

# Not proper if equal
set_c = {1, 2, 3}
print(set_b < set_c)  # False
print(set_b > set_c)  # False

Notes

  • < and > operators for proper subset/superset
  • False if sets are equal

🔗 Cross Reference

🏷️ Tags

set, subset, superset, proper-subset, proper-superset, data-structures

📝 Notes

  • Use <=, >=, <, > or issubset(), issuperset() for subset/superset checks
  • Proper subset/superset means strictly contained (not equal)