Format Strings

In Python, string formatting refers to the process of inserting values into a string. This is done by using placeholders that are replaced by the values at runtime. There are several ways to format strings in Python, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Using the % operator

One of the most common ways to format strings in Python is by using the % operator. This operator allows you to insert values into a string by using placeholders. For example:

name = "John"
age = 30
print("My name is %s and I am %d years old." % (name, age))

In the above example, the %s placeholder is replaced by the value of the name variable, while the %d placeholder is replaced by the value of the age variable.

Using format()

Another way to format strings in Python is by using the format() method. This method allows you to insert values into a string by using curly braces as placeholders. For example:

name = "John"
age = 30
print("My name is {} and I am {} years old.".format(name, age))

In the above example, the {} placeholders are replaced by the values of the name and age variables, respectively.

Using f-strings

Python 3.6 introduced f-strings, which are another way to format strings. F-strings are similar to format() method, but they use the syntax of prefixing a string with an "f" character. For example:

name = "John"
age = 30
print(f"My name is {name} and I am {age} years old.")

In the above example, the placeholders are enclosed in curly braces and prefixed with the "f" character. The values of the variables are inserted directly into the string.

Conclusion

In this guide, we covered the three main ways to format strings in Python: using the % operator, the format() method, and f-strings. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages, and you should choose the one that best suits your needs. We hope this guide has been helpful in understanding string formatting in Python better.