Swap Two Numbers in Python

What You’ll Learn

Swapping exchanges two variables so each holds the other’s old value: a=5, b=10 becomes a=10, b=5. You will use a temp variable, Python’s a, b = b, a, and an optional XOR trick for integers — plus a live preview and worked examples.

📝 Problem & Approach

Given two variables, exchange their values so each holds what the other used to hold.

# Before: a = 5,  b = 10
# After:  a = 10, b = 5

Inputs & Outputs

Minimal workflow

temp = a
a = b
b = temp

Method comparison

🔮 Live Preview

Enter two integers and swap them with a temporary variable.

Press “Swap”.

Examples Gallery

Three complete Python programs — temp variable, tuple unpacking, and XOR for integers. Click View Output to reveal sample console results.

num1 = 5
num2 = 10

print(f"Before swapping: num1 = {num1}, num2 = {num2}")
temp = num1
num1 = num2
num2 = temp
print(f"After swapping: num1 = {num1}, num2 = {num2}")

Before swapping: num1 = 5, num2 = 10
After swapping: num1 = 10, num2 = 5

num1 = 5
num2 = 10

print(f"Before swapping: num1 = {num1}, num2 = {num2}")
num1, num2 = num2, num1
print(f"After swapping: num1 = {num1}, num2 = {num2}")

Before swapping: num1 = 5, num2 = 10
After swapping: num1 = 10, num2 = 5

a = 5
b = 10

if a != b:
    a ^= b
    b ^= a
    a ^= b

print(f"After swapping: a = {a}, b = {b}")

After swapping: a = 10, b = 5

🔎 Worked Walkthrough — 5 and 10

Follow the temp variable through each assignment.

If you assign a = b first without saving, the original 5 disappears.

⚖️ Facts Worth Knowing

Handy follow-ups interviewers sometimes ask.

🎯 Practice Problems

Try these variations to lock in the pattern.

Notes

⏱️ Time and Space Complexity

Swapping two variables does a fixed number of assignments regardless of the values.

💡 Best Practices