Text, numbers and print()

What you will be able to do

After this lesson you can

• tell text from a sum, and predict what print() shows for each,
• put several pieces in one print(),
• control what goes between the pieces and after them, and
• print text that has quotation marks or several lines inside it.

Text or a sum?

Look at these three lines. They look almost the same.

This is one of the first things that a programmer learns to see: quotation marks mean "this is text". Without them, Python tries to understand what you wrote.

The rule is the same for every sign: with quotation marks it is text, without them it is a sum.

More ways to use print()

You can also write sep="", with nothing between the quotation marks, to join the pieces with no space.

Quotation marks inside text

What if the text has a quotation mark inside it? The apostrophe in Asha's is a single quotation mark. If you put it inside single quotation marks, Python thinks that the text ended. The simple way out is to use the other kind of marks outside.

The third line shows a new line inside text. The two signs \n (a backslash and the letter n) mean "start a new line here". So one print() can make two or three lines.

Common mistakes

• Text without quotation marks. print(Hello) is an error, and print("2 + 3") shows the text, not 5.
• A sum inside quotation marks. If you want the answer, take the sum out of the quotation marks.
• Mixing the two kinds of marks. Start and end the text with the same kind.
• Forgetting that print() adds a new line. Use end="" when you want the next output on the same line.
• Forgetting the space. print("Total:", 5) shows Total: 5. print("Total:" + 5) is an error. We study why in the next courses.

Practice

Start with two quick questions. Each New numbers gives you a fresh one, so you can practise as long as you like.

Then the labs and the problems:

1. Warm-up. Open the lab Sum or text? It asks for two lines, one of text and one of a calculation.
2. Build. Open the lab Separators and endings. You must print a date and a line of progress in a given shape.
3. Stretch. Open the problem Change the separator, and then make a program that prints a row of your own, such as 1 | 2 | 3 | 4, using only one print().

Remember these

• Quotation marks make text. No quotation marks makes Python calculate.
• Pieces separated by commas get one space between them. sep changes it, and end changes what comes after.
• Use the other kind of marks outside when the text has a quotation mark inside. \n starts a new line.

Check yourself

Try each one on your own first. If you are stuck, open a hint. Then check with Show the answer.

1. What does print("a", "b") show? What does print("a", "b", sep="") show?

2. What is the difference between print("4 * 2") and print(4 * 2)?

3. What does print("one", end=" ") and then print("two") show?

4. Write a print() that shows It's 5 o'clock.