How to make Python treat sequences as 1-indexed instead of 0-indexed?

Question

Example: My code:

lst=[15,18,20,1,19,65]
print(lst[2])

It prints 20, but I want my array to be 1-indexed and print 18 instead.

98,67,86,3,4,21

When I print the second number it should print 67 and not 86 based on indexing. First number is 98 Second number is 67 Third number is 86 and so on. How to make my program have index 0 become index 1 and so on?

"I want my program to count index 0 as first element, index 1 as second element and so on." - that's exactly what Python does!? — mkrieger1, May 26 '20 at 13:16
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/7239668/python-sage-can-lists-start-at-index-1 same question here. — omerS, May 26 '20 at 13:17
Array is always starting with `0` no matter what (not the value but indexing) — Hanz, May 26 '20 at 13:18
why do you want to do this? I don't think you should try to change this. Starting from 0 is a fundamental feature of python — aless80, May 26 '20 at 13:19
If you want you can always subtract 1 from the index or even go the further step and implement your own class extending `list` with your own indexing system. But for built-in list this is what it is... — Tomerikoo, May 26 '20 at 13:21
You could also just try inserting a dummy element at index 0, which is absolutely not good practice but will essentially achieve what you're trying to do — Marsroverr, May 26 '20 at 13:21

score 7 · Accepted Answer · answered May 26 '20 at 13:17

This cannot be done, Python's list and every other sequence is inherently 0-indexed. The same is true for the vast majority of modern programming languages. I would suggest you to just learn to live with it, it will not be the hardest thing in your programming career.

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered May 26 '20 at 13:17

1

Subtract 1 from the index you are actually trying to look up.

print(lst[2-1])

answered May 26 '20 at 13:17

NewPythonUser

361
1
9

How to make Python treat sequences as 1-indexed instead of 0-indexed?

2 Answers2