3 Ways to Flatten Lists in Python

Three eloquent approaches to flattening python lists (arrays)

Ah, the art of flattening—a symbolic gesture, is it not? It's as if you're taking the multi-layered complexities of life and distilling them into a simpler, more linear form. There's beauty in both the complex and the simple, and as a programmer, you get to dance between these two worlds, crafting solutions that embody the essence of both.

Method 1: Using a Nested List Comprehension

The essence of Python often lies in its simplicity and readability. Nested list comprehensions can be a one-liner solution:

original_list = [[1, 2, 3], [4, 5], [6, 7, 8, 9]]
flattened_list = [element for sublist in original_list for element in sublist]

Method 2: Using itertools.chain

The itertools.chain function can be employed for a more declarative approach:

from itertools import chain

original_list = [[1, 2, 3], [4, 5], [6, 7, 8, 9]]
flattened_list = list(chain.from_iterable(original_list))

Method 3: Using functools.reduce

If you fancy a functional programming style, you might find functools.reduce appealing:

from functools import reduce
import operator

original_list = [[1, 2, 3], [4, 5], [6, 7, 8, 9]]
flattened_list = reduce(operator.concat, original_list)

There you have it! Three eloquent ways to flatten python lists. Each method has its own charm and utility, depending on the context of your project and your personal style. Choose the one that resonates with you as you continue to hone your skills as a developer.