Rotate an Array in Python
Array rotation moves values at one end to the other while preserving their relative order.
What is Rotate an Array?
Array rotation moves values at one end to the other while preserving their relative order.
Rotate a Python list to the right using slicing.
When should you use it?
- Practice problem solving and data structures.
- Process data when every algorithm step must be explicit.
- Prepare for programming exercises, exams, and interviews.
Example code
main.py
def rotate_right(values, steps):
if not values:
return []
steps %= len(values)
return values[-steps:] + values[:-steps]
print(rotate_right([1, 2, 3, 4, 5], 2))Expected output
[4, 5, 1, 2, 3]How it works
Modulo handles rotations larger than the list. Two slices select the final k values and the remaining prefix. Time and space complexity are O(n).
Change the values and run the program in the CodeUtility online Python compiler without installing Python locally.
Practice exercises
Modify the runnable example with the exercises below to build understanding beyond copying the result.
- Try empty, single-item, and duplicate-value inputs.
- Print state after every step to observe the algorithm.
- Benchmark 100, 1,000, and 10,000 items, then compare another approach.