Difference between dict.clear() and assigning {} in Python

Question

In python, is there a difference between calling clear() and assigning {} to a dictionary? If yes, what is it? Example:

d = {\"stuff\":\"         


        

Answer 1

In addition to the differences mentioned in other answers, there also is a speed difference. d = {} is over twice as fast:

python -m timeit -s "d = {}" "for i in xrange(500000): d.clear()"
10 loops, best of 3: 127 msec per loop

python -m timeit -s "d = {}" "for i in xrange(500000): d = {}"
10 loops, best of 3: 53.6 msec per loop