Welcome to a comprehensive guide on one of Python’s most valuable and useful features: f-strings. As programmers, we frequently deal with strings, and Python provides several ways to format strings. Among them, f-strings or formatted string literals offer a succinct and readable way to embed expressions inside string literals.
Table of contents
What are Python F-strings?
F-strings, introduced in Python 3.6, are a modern, advanced way to format strings in Python. Instead of using complex and sometimes unclear formatting options, f-strings allow you to directly embed variables and expressions within the string itself, using curly brackets {}.
Why Use Python F-strings?
Why should you learn f-strings? Here’s why:
- F-strings are easy to read and write. They help keep your code clean and concise.
- They perform better than other formatting methods. F-strings are faster because they are evaluated at runtime.
- F-strings can incorporate any Python expression, offering greater flexibility.
Hence, understanding f-strings is crucial for both beginners and experienced coders looking to streamline their Python coding process.
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Python F-strings Basics
Let’s delve into the basics of Python f-strings with some examples.
1. Simple String Interpolation
The most basic use of f-strings is to directly interpolate variables into a string. Let’s see how:
name = "Zenva"
print(f"We are {name}")This simple script will output ‘We are Zenva’. The variable ‘name’ is directly embedded in the string.
2. Using F-strings with expressions
But f-strings are not limited to variables only; we can include any valid Python expression. Check this out:
a = 10
b = 20
print(f"The sum of {a} and {b} is {a+b}")That will output ‘The sum of 10 and 20 is 30’. We’ve embedded an arithmetic operation inside the f-string.
Advanced uses of Python F-strings
Continuing with our tutorial, let’s explore some more advanced uses of f-strings.
3. F-strings with dictionary keys
F-strings can directly read and format dictionary keys:
param = {'course':'Python', 'platform':'Zenva'}
print(f"Learn {param['course']} at {param['platform']}")The above script will output ‘Learn Python at Zenva. Our f-string has directly read the dictionary keys.
4. Aligning text with F-strings
F-strings can also align text using embedded options. Take a look:
print(f"{'Zenva':>10}")Here ‘Zenva’ will be right-aligned within an allocated space of 10 characters.
5. Formatting numbers with F-strings
Last but not least, f-strings can also format numbers:
num = 12.3456789
print(f"The number {num:.2f} rounded to 2 decimal places.")By using the :.2f syntax inside the f-string, we are rounding ‘num’ to two decimal places in the output.
Further Uses of Python F-strings
Now that we’ve covered the basics and some intermediate usage, let’s explore more uses of Python f-strings.
6. Dynamic Expressions in F-strings
Because f-strings are interpreted at runtime, we can have dynamic expressions inside them:
table = 'Topics'
print(f"{'List of '+ table}")We’ve used a string operation for the dynamic expression here, and the output will be ‘List of Topics’.
7. Using Functions within F-string
F-strings can directly call functions:
def greet(name):
return "Hello " + name
print(f"{greet('Zenva')}")The function ‘greet’ is called directly inside the f-string and the output will be ‘Hello Zenva’.
8. Nested F-strings
Yes, f-strings also allow nesting:
outer = 10
inner = 5
print(f"The outer total is {outer} and the inner total is {f'{inner}'}")The output reads ‘The outer total is 10 and the inner total is 5’. We’ve nested an f-string inside another f-string.
9. F-strings with Classes and Objects
For those who use object-oriented Python, f-strings can even work with classes and objects:
class Zenva:
course = 'Python'
print(f"We are offering {Zenva.course} courses")This example prints ‘We are offering Python courses’ by accessing the ‘course’ attribute of the ‘Zenva’ class.
10. F-strings with Conditional Expressions
We can also use conditional (if-else) expressions in f-strings:
available = True
print(f"The <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://gamedevacademy.org/best-python-programming-courses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="Python course" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Python course</a> is {'available' if available else 'not available'}")The output is ‘The Python course is available’, using a conditional expression inside the f-string.
11. F-string with Loop Markers
Finally, let’s use f-string with loop markers:
for i in range(1,4):
print(f"This is iteration {i}")With each iteration, ‘i’ is printed in the string, which results in the output:
- This is iteration 1
- This is iteration 2
- This is iteration 3
Where to Go Next with Python F-strings?
Congratulations on making it this far! But the journey doesn’t have to stop here. Even after mastering Python f-strings, there is a lot more to learn in Python coding.
And the good news is: We at Zenva are here to accompany you throughout.
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Conclusion
Python’s diverse and powerful features, such as f-strings, open up a world of possibilities for budding and experienced developers alike. Mastering these techniques is an integral part of developing efficient, readable, and professional-grade Python code.
We invite you to take that next step in your Python journey with us at Zenva. Whether it’s our all-encompassing Python Mini-Degree or one of our various individual Python courses, we support and challenge you in mastering Python for real-world applications. Together, let’s set the stage for your continued growth and success in the coding world!
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