Unpack iterable into a list variable using extended unpacking syntax.

Express the intent to collect all elements of an iterable into a list variable for later use.

When you need to collect all items from an iterable (list, tuple, generator, etc.) into a list without needing to separate head or tail elements.

Used in assignment statements, often in loops, function parameters, or when processing sequences where you want to retain all items as a list.

*middle, = t

*<target>, = <iterable>

{"middle": "variable name", "t": "iterable expression"}

• ["list"
• "tuple"
• "generator"
• "range"
• "zip"
• "enumerate\[\]

• ["*rest
• = seq"
• \

Using a trailing comma without the star, e.g., "middle, = t", which raises a SyntaxError Placing the star on the right side of the assignment, e.g., "t = *middle,", which is invalid syntax Assuming the unpacked result is a tuple; it is actually a list, leading to unexpected list methods

Standard unpacking without star (a, b = seq) – only works for fixed length Using slicing (seq[1:-1]) – creates a new list but lacks the syntactic clarity of extended unpacking

Coming from JavaScript: using spread syntax "..." in assignment – Python uses "*" for extended unpacking

• list unpacking
• tuple unpacking
• extended iterable unpacking

Do not use when the iterable may be extremely large, as it materializes the whole sequence in memory; the operation is O(n) time and memory; it fails if the iterable is not iterable (e.g., None)

Enables concise collection of all elements while keeping the assignment syntax tidy, reducing boilerplate loops

Think of the star as a net that catches every remaining fish in the sequence after the first cast

Available since Python 3.0; in Python 2 the syntax required a trailing comma after the star target

head, *middle, tail = seq # capture head, middle, and tail