The Basic Syntax of Python

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25 Feb 2023
Beginner
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The basic syntax of python

Introduction

Do you want to learn the fundamentals of programming? Have you been interested in learning a coding language but don't know where to start? Python is an excellent choice for those looking to dive into the world of programming and experience the immense benefits that come with it. Not only is python easy to use, but it's also extremely versatile and powerful. Python is one of the most widely-used programming languages around, and it's gaining in popularity every day. Not only is it easy to learn and use, but its syntax makes writing code straightforward and simple. In this blog post, we'll be discussing the basics of python syntax so you can get started on your journey as a coder!

First Python Program

The first python programming language can be written in two ways, those are

1. Python interactive mode programming- this mode is based on ideology only. In interactive mode, the developer enters a command and then presses enter and it will show the output of the code. For running the code in interactive mode the programmers can command the prompt in macOS, terminal in Linux, and windows.

Example

# Python program to display "Hello SCHOLAR-HAT"
print("Hello SCHOLAR-HAT")

2. Python script mode programming- script mode in python means a writing system that is written in a file. This file can be executed by using the command prompt. For using script mode after writing the code, the code should be saved by using the ".py" extension. After that type python "filename.py" and then press enter. It will show the output of the code.

Example

print ("Hello, World!")
$ python test.py

Identifiers in python

Identifiers in Python are used to identify variables, objects, classes, functions, and other identifiers. They are significant in writing effective code in the Python programming language as they make complex programming tasks simpler. All identifiers have a specific set of rules that need to be followed while creating identifiers: they should begin with either an alphabet (a-z) or an underscore (_), and after that can contain any combination of alphanumeric characters (a-z, 0-9). Moreover, identifiers are case-sensitive so it’s important to note that 'x' and 'X' would be considered two different identifiers. Knowing how to use identifiers effectively is an important mastery for successful python programming.
Here are naming conventions for identifiers in python:
  • In the Python programming language the class names start with an uppercase letter and all the other identifiers start with a lowercase letter.
  • In this language, if an identifier starts with a single leading underscore that can indicate that the particular identifier is a private identifier.
  • In this language, if an identifier starts with two leading underscores that can indicate a strongly private identifier.
  • In python programming language If the identifier ends with two trailing underscores then the identifier can be called by a language-defined special name.

Python Reserved Words

Python programming language has some reserved keywords so that the developer can use them to identify any constant or variables or other identifier's name. Those keywords are,
andasassert
breakclasscontinue
defdelelif
elseexceptFalse
finallyforfrom
globalifimport
inislambda
Nonenonlocalnot
orpassraise
returnTruetry
whilewithyield

Python Lines and Indentation

Python programming language does not provide any braces to indicate the code blocks for function definitions or class or flow control. The codes are denoted by line identification. The use of indentation in Python is crucial. It plays an important role in making Python code easier to read, follow and use - while incorrectly formatted code can be difficult to decipher and use. Indentation provides visual structure to your code and has a big impact on the readability of the code. Indentation also helps with debugging, as misaligned statements can easily help you identify the errors. In Python, indentation is used to show a group of related statements, so proper use of indentation increases the productivity of developers too. Without it, understanding even simple programs in Python would be almost impossible.

Example

import sys
try:
   # open file stream
   file = open(file_name, "w")
except IOError:
   print "There was an error writing to", file_name
   sys.exit()
print "Enter '", file_finish,
print "' When finished"
while file_text != file_finish:
   file_text = raw_input("Enter text: ")
   if file_text == file_finish:
      # close the file
      file.close
      break
   file.write(file_text)
   file.write("\n")
file.close()
file_name = raw_input("Enter filename: ")
if len(file_name) == 0:
   print "Next time please enter something"
   sys.exit()
try:
   file = open(file_name, "r")
except IOError:
   print "There was an error reading file"
   sys.exit()
file_text = file.read()
file.close()
print file_text

Quotations in Python

Quotations are a great way to express thoughts and opinions, and python makes it easy to use them in code. Double quotes in python provide two different types of quoting: raw strings and regular string literals. Raw strings are best for specifying fixed patterns when a backslash is used as an escape character, whereas regular string literals must be enclosed in double quotes when the backslash needs to be used as an escape character. When dealing with python quotes, it's important to remember to use the same type of quote when starting and ending your strings; otherwise, syntax errors may occur. With the right know-how, python quotations can help make your code more concise and readable.

Summary

Python is a powerful programming language that is widely used in many industries today. By understanding the basic syntax of this popular language, you can be well on your way to becoming a master programmer. The syntax is the basic foundation for everything you'll write in Python. Just as English has a set of grammar rules that govern how we put words together, so too does Python. In this article, we learned about the different components of syntax and how to use them to construct correct Python code. We also saw how small syntactical errors can lead to big problems when writing code. Now that you have a firm understanding of the basics of syntax, you're ready to start writing your own Python programs. Happy coding!

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