How can I add items to an empty set in python

D = {} is a dictionary not set.

>>> d = {}
>>> type(d)
<type 'dict'>

Use D = set():

>>> d = set()
>>> type(d)
<type 'set'>
>>> d.update({1})
>>> d.add(2)
>>> d.update([3,3,3])
>>> d
set([1, 2, 3])