Set Equality - Order Doesn't Matter

CS 5001/5002 - Strings, Sequences & Sets

Code

#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""
Filename: set_equality_order.py
Description: Set Equality - Order Doesn't Matter
CS 5001/5002 - Strings, Sequences & Sets

This script demonstrates that sets are equal if they contain the same elements,
regardless of order, and compares this behavior with lists.
"""

def main():
    # Order independence in sets
    S2 = {1, 2}
    S3 = {2, 1}

    print(f"S2 = {S2}")
    print(f"S3 = {S3}")
    print(f"S2 == S3: {S2 == S3}")  # True - same elements

    # Compare with lists (sequences) where order matters
    list1 = [1, 2]
    list2 = [2, 1]
    print(f"List [1, 2] == [2, 1]: {list1 == list2}")  # False - different order

    # Converting between sets and lists
    my_set = {3, 1, 4, 1, 5}
    my_list = list(my_set)
    print(f"Set {my_set} as list: {my_list}")  # Order may vary
    print(f"Sorted list: {sorted(my_set)}")    # Consistent ordering

if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()

How to Use

1. Copy the code above
2. Save it as a .py file (e.g., set_equality_order.py)
3. Run it with: python set_equality_order.py

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Part of CS 5001/5002 - Strings, Sequences & Sets materials