{"id":77751,"date":"2020-03-30T11:30:02","date_gmt":"2020-03-30T06:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techvidvan.com\/tutorials\/?p=77751"},"modified":"2024-08-22T17:49:11","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T12:19:11","slug":"python-comments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/techvidvan.com\/tutorials\/python-comments\/","title":{"rendered":"Python Comments, Statements & Indentation – An Exclusive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you’re transitioning from languages like C and Java or stepping into the world of programming for the first time, Python’s syntax is designed to be approachable and user-friendly. Experienced programmers will find Python’s syntax refreshingly simple, while newcomers will appreciate its ease of learning and straightforwardness. In this article, we\u2019ll explore the core elements of Python\u2019s syntax: statements, the importance of indentation, and the role of comments. This foundational knowledge will set you up for success as you dive deeper into Python programming.<\/p>\n

Python Comments, Statements & Indentation<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Python Comments<\/h3>\n

Comments provide a way to leave an explanation<\/strong> or annotation<\/strong> in your source code<\/strong>. Comments are programmer-readable<\/strong> and are added to make the source code<\/strong> easier for a programmer<\/strong> to understand.<\/p>\n

There might come instances when you have to write a really long program and you might end up forgetting why you wrote a particular piece<\/strong> of code<\/strong> earlier in your program. Also, while working in a team, another programmer should be able to read<\/strong> and comprehend<\/strong> your source code<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where comments prove to be useful<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

When the Python interpreter<\/strong> comes across a comment<\/strong>, it ignores<\/strong> the comment and moves<\/strong> to the next line of code<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Comments in Python are of following types:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

1. Single line comments<\/h4>\n

The start of a single-line comment<\/strong> in Python is specified using the hash(#) character<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

# this is a comment<\/pre>\n
2. Multi-line comments<\/h4>\n
You can have a comment that spans multiple lines<\/strong> by enclosing it within triple quotes<\/strong> (”’ or “””).<\/strong><\/p>\n
Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n
'''This is a multi-line comment\r\n   which is extended across\u00a0\r\n   multiple lines'''<\/pre>\n
3. Docstrings<\/h4>\n
In Python, docstring<\/strong> refers to documentation string<\/strong>. A docstring is included as a first-line<\/strong> inside a function<\/strong>, module<\/strong>, class<\/strong> or method. <\/strong>Docstring is a short description<\/strong> of what your function<\/strong>, module<\/strong> or class<\/strong> does.<\/p>\n
We write docstrings inside triple quotes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n
def function():\r\n    \"\"\" The function prints hello world \"\"\"\r\n    print(\u201cHello, World!\u201d)<\/pre>\n
Python Statements<\/h3>\n
A statement<\/strong> specifies an instruction<\/strong> given to the computer<\/strong> to perform some task<\/strong>. Statements are read<\/strong> by the interpreter<\/strong> which then converts<\/strong> them into machine-readable instructions<\/strong>. These instructions can now be understood<\/strong> and executed<\/strong> by the machine<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Therefore, Statements form the smallest executable unit<\/strong> within a Python<\/strong> program.<\/span><\/p>\n
Python supports the following kinds of statements:<\/p>\n
1. Empty Statements in Python<\/h4>\n
The simplest yet complete statement<\/strong> in Python is the empty statement<\/strong>, that is, the pass statement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
When the interpreter encounters<\/strong> a pass statement<\/strong>, it does nothing and moves on. Now, what exactly is the use of a statement<\/strong> that does nothing<\/strong>?<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll come across certain instances<\/strong> where you\u2019ll need a statement syntactically<\/strong> but your program\u2019s logic<\/strong> will not require one. So to avoid any potential syntax errors<\/strong>, we use the pass statement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
You can use it within a python loop<\/strong>, function<\/strong> or class<\/strong> which is not implemented<\/strong> yet but you want to implement<\/strong> it in the future<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Example :<\/strong><\/p>\n
def function():\r\n    pass\r\n\r\nclass myclass:\r\n    pass\r\n\r\nfor i in range(9):\r\n    pass<\/pre>\n
2. Simple Statements in Python<\/h4>\n
Any single executable <\/strong>statement in Python is a simple statement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n
name = input(\u201cEnter name:\u201d)\r\n\r\nvalue = 10 + 20 + 30 + 40<\/pre>\n
Simple statements are usually single-line statements<\/strong>. And, the end<\/strong> of the line marks<\/strong> the end<\/strong> of a statement<\/strong> in Python<\/strong>. But in order to make our program more readable<\/strong>, we can extend<\/strong> a simple statement<\/strong> into multiple lines<\/strong>. Such statements are called multi-line statements<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
We can extend a statement across multiple lines<\/strong> using the line continuation character<\/strong>, that is, the backslash( \\ ) character<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Example for Multi-line statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n
value = 10 + 20 + 30 + \\\r\n     40 + 50 + \\\r\n     60 + 70\r\n<\/pre>\n
In python, line continuation<\/strong> is implied automatically inside parentheses (), [], {}<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
The next example will result in the same output<\/strong> as the previous example.<\/p>\n
value = (10 + 20 +\r\n        30 + 40 +\r\n        50 + 60 + 70)<\/pre>\n
Similarly, we can implement<\/strong> a long list<\/strong> in multiple lines<\/strong> as:<\/p>\n
mylist = [ 10, 20, 30,\r\n         40, 50, 60]\r\n<\/pre>\n
Python also allows us to write multiple statements<\/strong> into a single line<\/strong> by separating each pair<\/strong> of statements using a semicolon(;)<\/strong> as:<\/p>\n
name = \u2018Techvidvan\u2019 ; value = 10 ; print(name, value)<\/pre>\n
3. Compound Statements in Python<\/h4>\n
A compound statement<\/strong> basically is a group<\/strong> of statements executed<\/strong> as a unit<\/strong>. It\u00a0 is made up of:<\/p>\n
    \n
  • a header line<\/strong> ( followed by a colon<\/strong> : ), and<\/li>\n
  • a body<\/strong> containing a sequence<\/strong> of statements<\/strong> at the same level<\/strong> of indentation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n
    if a > b:\r\n    greater = a\r\n    print(\u201ca greater than b\u201d)<\/pre>\n
      \n
    • if a > b<\/strong>: is the header line<\/li>\n
    • The two statements indented below the header line<\/strong> form the body<\/strong> of the compound statement<\/strong> or the suite<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      We have mentioned the term \u201cindentation\u201d<\/strong> a few times now.<\/p>\n
      Well what does \u201cindentation\u201d mean and why is it so important<\/strong> in Python?<\/p>\n
      Python Indentation<\/h3>\n
      Indentation<\/strong> refers to the whitespaces<\/strong> (usually 4 spaces or a single tab) that signify the beginning of a suite<\/strong> (block) of code<\/strong>. All statements indented at the same level<\/strong> belong to the same suite<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
      In other languages, a block of code is written inside curly braces ( { and } )<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
      Python has made the syntax<\/strong> a bit simpler<\/strong> by removing<\/strong> these curly braces<\/strong> from the block<\/strong> of your code<\/strong>. You do not<\/strong> need to type<\/strong> anything to mark the beginning<\/strong> and the end of a block<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
      Instead in Python, we use indentation<\/strong> along with colon ( : ) for that purpose. The colon ( : )<\/strong> introduces a new suite(block)<\/strong> of code that must be intended to right<\/strong>. The interpreter raises<\/strong> an error<\/strong> if you forgot to indent<\/strong> your statements after<\/strong> a colon<\/strong>. The end of the suite<\/strong> is specified by unindenting<\/strong> the next line of code<\/strong>(which is not the part of your suite).<\/p>\n
      Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n
      if x > y:\r\n    print(\"x is greater than y\")\r\nelif y > x:\r\n    print(\"y greater than x\")\r\nelse:\r\n    print(\"x is equal to y\")<\/pre>\n
      Summary<\/h3>\n
      We’ve reached the end of our tutorial on Python syntax. Throughout this article, we explored the fundamental building blocks of Python, focusing on Python statements. We discussed how Python uses indentation to define the beginning and end of code blocks, contributing to the readability and cleanliness of the code. Additionally, we covered the use of comments in Python, which help make your code more understandable for anyone who reads it. With these basics in hand, you’re well on your way to writing clear and effective Python programs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
      Whether you’re transitioning from languages like C and Java or stepping into the world of programming for the first time, Python’s syntax is designed to be approachable and user-friendly. 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