Python Basic Syntax
Python's syntax is designed to be clean and readable, making it a great language for beginners. Let's dive into some fundamental elements:
Indentation
- Python uses whitespace indentation to define code blocks.
- It's crucial for code structure and readability.
- Consistent indentation (usually 4 spaces) is essential.
Python
if condition:
# This code block belongs to the if statement
print("Condition is true")
else:
# This code block belongs to the else statement
print("Condition is false")
Comments
- Use # for single-line comments.
- Use triple quotes (""" or ''' ) for multi-line comments.
Python
# This is a single-line comment
print("Hello, world!")
"""
This is a multi-line comment.
It can span multiple lines.
"""
Variables
- No need to declare data types explicitly.
- Use = for assignment.
Python
message = "Hello"
number = 42
Data Types
- Numbers: Integers (e.g., 42), floating-point numbers (e.g., 3.14).
- Strings: Text enclosed in single (') or double (") quotes.
- Booleans: True or False values.
- Lists: Ordered collections of items (mutable).
- Tuples: Ordered collections of items (immutable).
- Dictionaries: Unordered collections of key-value pairs.
Operators
- Arithmetic: +, -, *, /, //, %, **
- Comparison: ==, !=, <, >, <=, >=
- Logical: and, or, not
Control Flow
- if-else: Conditional execution.
- for: Iterating over sequences.
- while: Repeating a block of code while a condition is true.
Python
if x > 0:
print("x is positive")
else:
print("x is non-positive")
for i in range(5):
print(i)
while count < 10:
count += 1
Functions
- Define reusable code blocks.
- Use def keyword.
Python
def greet(name):
print("Hello,", name)
greet("Alice")
Input and Output
- print() for output.
- input() for user input.
Python
name = input("Enter your name: ")
print("Hello,", name)
Basic Examples
Python
# Simple calculation
result = 5 + 3 * 2
print(result)
# List of fruits
fruits = ["apple", "banana", "orange"]
for fruit in fruits:
print(fruit)
Remember: Consistent indentation, clear variable names, and comments enhance code readability.