---
title: do not modify a dictionary while iterating on it
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
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  Docs > Datadog Security > Code Security > Static Code Analysis (SAST) > SAST
  Rules > do not modify a dictionary while iterating on it
---

# do not modify a dictionary while iterating on it

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## Metadata{% #metadata %}

**ID:** `python-best-practices/collection-while-iterating`

**Language:** Python

**Severity:** Error

**Category:** Error Prone

## Description{% #description %}

Never update a dictionary while iterating on it. If you wish to update the dictionary, create a new dictionary from the existing values.

## Non-Compliant Code Examples{% #non-compliant-code-examples %}

```python
i = 0
for element in my_list:
    my_list["stuff"] = i  # modifying a dictionary while iterating
    i += 1
```

## Compliant Code Examples{% #compliant-code-examples %}

```python
for i in myvalue:
    myvalue[i] = do_something()
```

```python
i = 0
new_list = {}
for element in my_list:
    new_list["stuff"] = i  # putting value to a new dictionary
    i += 1
```
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