How can you combine two dictionaries in Python?

Combining two dictionaries in Python can be effectively achieved using the update() method or the unpacking syntax {**dict1, **dict2}.

The update() method modifies the first dictionary in place by adding the key-value pairs from the second dictionary. If there are any overlapping keys, the values from the second dictionary will overwrite those of the first. This approach is efficient and readable, making it a popular choice for dictionary combination.

Alternatively, the unpacking syntax {**dict1, **dict2} creates a new dictionary that merges the contents of both dictionaries. This method is particularly useful when you want to keep the original dictionaries unchanged. The unpacking syntax essentially spreads the key-value pairs of both dictionaries into a new one, allowing for a clear and concise way of merging them.

Other methods, such as writing a custom function to iterate through both dictionaries, may work but are generally less efficient and require more code. Using the merge() function or the join() function does not apply here, as they are not valid for directly merging dictionaries in Python. The available methods—either update() or unpacking—are specifically designed for this purpose in the language.