difference() method to get elements after removing common elements of the sets by using & operator

Returns a new set with difference elements of main set only ( after removing common elements) . Original sets remains unchanged.

difference using - operator

All difference elements of first set
Using minus ( - ) operator

A={1,2,3}
B={3,4,5}
print(A - B)

Output

{1,2}

We can check the output by using type()

A={1,2,3}
B={3,4,5}
x=A - B 
print(type(x))

Output

<class 'set'>

A={'a','b','c'}
B={'a','y','z'}
print(A.difference(B))

Output

{'c', 'b'}

We can use any number of sets with difference()

A={'a','b','c'}
B={'a','y','z'}
C={'a','b','l'}
print(A - B - C)

Output

{'c'}

Using string ( iterable object ) with difference() method

A={'a','b','c','x','y'}
B='Alex'
print(A.difference(B))

Output

{'a', 'c', 'y', 'b'}

Note : we can't use iterable object by using minus ( - ), the difference operator

Using list with difference() method.

A={'a','b','c'}
B=['a','x','y']
print(A.difference(B))

Output

{'c', 'b'}

Below code will generate error.

print(A - B)

 TypeError: unsupported operand type(s) for -: 'set' and 'list'

In all above code by using difference() we created a new set. By using difference_update() method we can change the original set with difference elements.
All set methods Questions with solutions on set
union() intersection() symmetric_difference()