The difference between dict.get(key) and dict[key] lies primarily in how they handle missing keys.

1. Using dict.get(key):

   • Returns the value associated with the specified key.

   • If the key is not found, returns None by default (or a specified default value).

   • Does not raise a KeyError.

my_dict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}

# Accessing an existing key
print(my_dict.get('a'))  # Output: 1

# Accessing a missing key
print(my_dict.get('x'))  # Output: None

# Accessing a missing key with a default value
print(my_dict.get('x', 'Key not found'))  # Output: Key not found

2. Using dict[key]:

   • Also returns the value associated with the specified key.

   • If the key is not found, raises a KeyError.

my_dict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}

# Accessing an existing key
print(my_dict['a'])  # Output: 1

# Accessing a missing key
# This will raise a KeyError: 'x'
# print(my_dict['x'])

# Using try-except to handle missing key
try:
    print(my_dict['x'])
except KeyError:
    print('Key not found')

So, the primary difference is in how they handle missing keys: dict.get(key) returns None or a default value if the key is missing, while dict[key] raises a KeyError if the key is not found.