max() and min() in Python

Finding maximum and minimum values from a given list of values is a very common need in data processing programs. Python provides built-in max() and min() functions that handle both numbers and strings efficiently.

Syntax

max(iterable, *[, key, default])
min(iterable, *[, key, default])

Using max() and min() with Numeric Values

Both functions work with integers, floats, and mixed numeric types to find the maximum and minimum values ?

numbers = [10, 15, 25.5, 3, 2, 9/5, 40, 70]
print("Maximum number is:", max(numbers))
print("Minimum number is:", min(numbers))

Maximum number is: 70
Minimum number is: 1.8

Using max() and min() with String Values

String values are compared lexicographically based on ASCII values. The comparison is done character by character ?

days = ['Mon', 'Tue', 'Wed', 'Thu', 'Fri', 'Sat', 'Sun']
print("Maximum string is:", max(days))
print("Minimum string is:", min(days))

Maximum string is: Wed
Minimum string is: Fri

Using with Multiple Arguments

You can also pass multiple arguments directly instead of using a list ?

print("Max of multiple values:", max(15, 8, 42, 3))
print("Min of multiple values:", min(15, 8, 42, 3))

Max of multiple values: 42
Min of multiple values: 3

Using the key Parameter

The key parameter allows custom comparison logic. Here we find the longest and shortest strings ?

words = ['Python', 'Java', 'C', 'JavaScript', 'Go']
longest = max(words, key=len)
shortest = min(words, key=len)

print("Longest word:", longest)
print("Shortest word:", shortest)

Longest word: JavaScript
Shortest word: C

Comparison

Conclusion

Python's max() and min() functions provide flexible ways to find extreme values in collections. Use the key parameter for custom comparison logic when working with complex data structures.