print() function basics in Python

Introduction

The print() function shows messages or results on the screen. It helps you see what your program is doing.

You want to show a greeting message to the user.

You want to check the value of a variable while writing code.

You want to display the result of a calculation.

You want to print multiple pieces of information in one line.

You want to add blank lines or spaces for better readability.

Syntax

Python

print(value1, value2, ..., sep=' ', end='\n')

You can print one or more values separated by commas.

sep sets what goes between values (default is space). end sets what prints at the end (default is new line).

Examples

Prints a simple message.

Python

print('Hello, world!')

Prints two words separated by a space.

Python

print('Hello', 'there')

Prints words separated by a dash instead of space.

Python

print('Hello', 'there', sep='-')

Prints without a new line after first print, so second print continues on same line.

Python

print('Hello', end='!')
print(' How are you?')

Sample Program

This program prints a name and age, then a welcome message with dashes, then a goodbye message followed by a blank line, and finally a see you soon message.

Python

name = 'Alice'
age = 30
print('Name:', name)
print('Age:', age)
print('Welcome', name, 'to the program!', sep=' - ')
print('Goodbye!', end='\n\n')
print('See you soon!')

Important Notes

Use commas to print multiple items easily without converting to strings.

Remember print() adds a new line by default after printing.

You can change the end character to keep printing on the same line.

Summary

print() shows messages or values on the screen.

You can print many things at once separated by commas.

Use sep and end to control spacing and line breaks.

Practice

1. What does the print() function do in Python?

easy

A. It displays messages or values on the screen.

B. It saves data to a file.

C. It reads input from the user.

D. It creates a new variable.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of print()

   The print() function is used to show messages or values on the screen, making it easy to see output from the program.

2. Step 2: Compare with other options

   Saving data, reading input, or creating variables are done by other functions, not print().

3. Final Answer:

   It displays messages or values on the screen. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   print() shows output [OK]

Hint: Remember: print() means show on screen [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing print() with input()
• Thinking print() saves data
• Assuming print() creates variables

2. Which of the following is the correct way to print the words Hello and World separated by a space?

easy

A. print('Hello' 'World')

B. print('Hello' + 'World')

C. print('Hello', 'World')

D. print('Hello'; 'World')

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand how print separates items

   Using commas in print() separates items with spaces by default, so print('Hello', 'World') prints "Hello World".

2. Step 2: Check other options

   print('Hello' 'World') joins strings without space; print('Hello' + 'World') concatenates without space; print('Hello'; 'World') uses invalid syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   print('Hello', 'World') -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Comma adds space in print() [OK]

Hint: Use commas to print multiple items with spaces [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting commas between items
• Using semicolon inside print()
• Concatenating without spaces

3. What will be the output of this code?

print('A', 'B', 'C', sep='-')

medium

A. A B C

B. A-B-C

C. ABC

D. A-B C

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the sep parameter in print()

   The sep parameter changes the separator between printed items. Here, it is set to '-'.

2. Step 2: Apply sep to the items

   Items 'A', 'B', 'C' will be joined with '-' between them, resulting in 'A-B-C'.

3. Final Answer:

   A-B-C -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   sep='-' joins items with dash [OK]

Hint: sep changes space to your chosen separator [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring sep and expecting spaces
• Confusing sep with end
• Missing quotes around separator

4. The code below gives an error. What is the problem?

print('Hello' end='!')

medium

A. Missing comma between arguments

B. end parameter cannot be used

C. Quotes are incorrect

D. print() cannot print strings

Solution

1. Step 1: Check syntax of print() arguments

   Arguments in print() must be separated by commas. Here, 'Hello' and end='!' are missing a comma.

2. Step 2: Understand correct usage

   Correct syntax is print('Hello', end='!') with a comma separating the string and the keyword argument.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing comma between arguments -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Separate print args with commas [OK]

Hint: Separate print arguments with commas [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting commas between arguments
• Thinking end is not allowed
• Misplacing quotes

5. How can you print the numbers 1, 2, and 3 on the same line separated by commas, but end the line with a period instead of a newline?

hard

A. print(1, 2, 3, sep=',') print(end='.')

B. print(1, 2, 3, sep='.', end=',')

C. print(1, 2, 3, sep=', end='.')

D. print(1, 2, 3, sep=',', end='.')

Solution

1. Step 1: Use sep to set commas between numbers

   Setting sep=',' prints numbers separated by commas: '1,2,3'.

2. Step 2: Use end to replace newline with a period

   Setting end='.' prints a period instead of moving to a new line.

3. Step 3: Check argument order

   Argument order does not matter, but both sep and end must be included in the same print call.

4. Final Answer:

   print(1, 2, 3, sep=',', end='.') -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   sep=',' and end='.' print 1,2,3. [OK]

Hint: Use sep for commas and end for period [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping sep and end values
• Using two print statements instead of one
• Forgetting to set end to '.'