Meaning
Returns the smallest item in an iterable or the smallest of two or more arguments.
Primary Function
Return the minimum value from an iterable or multiple arguments.
Communicative Purpose
To obtain the minimum value from a collection of numbers or comparable items.
Pattern
min(<iterable>)
Core Structure
min(...)
Função primária
Return the minimum value from an iterable or multiple arguments.
Propósito comunicativo
To obtain the minimum value from a collection of numbers or comparable items.
Situações de gatilho
When you need to find the smallest element in a list, tuple, or other iterable of numbers or comparable objects.
Contextos
Used in data processing, statistics, algorithms, and any scenario requiring a minimum value extraction from a collection.
Padrão
min(<iterable>)
Estrutura central
min(...)
Slots de substituição
[numbers]
Colocados típicos
- list
- tuple
- range
- numbers
- values
Substituições comuns
- min(a
- b)
- min(iterable
- key=func)
Erros comuns
Calling min() on an empty iterable raises ValueError; forgetting that min works on any comparable type, not just numbers.
Similar / contraste
max() returns the largest item; sum() returns the total.
Interferências
Do not confuse with numpy.min which behaves differently with NaNs.
Família do chunk
- min
- max
- sum
- sorted
- any
- all
Nuance
min() can take a key function to customize comparison, and works with any comparable objects (strings, tuples, etc.).
Efeito pragmático
Communicates the intent to extract the lowest value from a collection.
Dica de memória
Think of the smallest item in a pile.
Nota
Built-in function; no import needed.
Upgrade path
Learn about max(), sum(), and using key functions with min/max.
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