print() parameters and formatting in Python

Introduction

The print() function shows information on the screen. You can control how it looks and what it shows by using its parameters.

You want to show messages or results to the user.

You need to print multiple items with spaces or other separators.

You want to print without moving to a new line each time.

You want to format numbers or text neatly before showing.

You want to add special characters like tabs or new lines in the output.

Syntax

Python

print(*objects, sep=' ', end='\n', file=None, flush=False)

*objects means you can print many things separated by commas.

sep sets what goes between items (default is space).

end sets what prints at the end (default is new line).

Examples

Prints two words separated by a space, then moves to a new line.

Python

print('Hello', 'World')

Prints words separated by a dash instead of space.

Python

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

Prints 'Hello!' and then 'World' on the same line.

Python

print('Hello', end='!')
print('World')

Prints a number formatted to 2 decimal places using f-string.

Python

print(f'Number: {3.14159:.2f}')

Sample Program

This program shows how to use sep to separate items with commas, end to avoid new line, and f-string formatting to round a number.

Python

print('Apples', 'Oranges', 'Bananas', sep=', ')
print('Loading', end='...')
print('Done!')
value = 7.12345
print(f'Value rounded: {value:.2f}')

Important Notes

You can print many items by separating them with commas inside print().

Use sep to change the space between items, like commas or dashes.

Use end to control what happens after printing, like staying on the same line.

Summary

print() shows information on the screen.

You can change spacing with sep and line endings with end.

Use f-strings to format numbers or text inside print().

Practice

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

easy

A. It changes the separator between multiple items printed.

B. It changes the ending character of the printed line.

C. It formats numbers inside the print statement.

D. It pauses the program before printing.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of sep

   The sep parameter defines what string is placed between multiple items printed.

2. Step 2: Compare with other parameters

   end changes line ending, formatting is done by f-strings, and pausing is unrelated.

3. Final Answer:

   It changes the separator between multiple items printed. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   sep = separator [OK]

Hint: Remember: sep controls spacing between items [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing sep with end parameter
• Thinking sep formats numbers
• Assuming sep pauses output

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to print two words separated by a dash using print()?

easy

A. print('hello' - 'world')

B. print('hello' + 'world', sep='-')

C. print('hello', 'world', end='-')

D. print('hello', 'world', sep='-')

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct use of sep

   Using sep='-' between multiple arguments prints them separated by a dash.

2. Step 2: Check syntax correctness

   print('hello', 'world', sep='-') uses correct syntax. print('hello' + 'world', sep='-') concatenates strings before printing, ignoring sep. print('hello', 'world', end='-') uses end, which changes line ending, not separator. print('hello' - 'world') is invalid syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   print('hello', 'world', sep='-') -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

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

Hint: Use sep between items, not inside strings [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using + operator with sep parameter
• Confusing sep with end
• Trying to subtract strings

3. What is the output of this code?

print('A', 'B', 'C', sep='*', end='!')
print('D')

medium

A. A*B*C!D

B. A B C ! D

C. A*B*C
D

D. A B C!D

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze first print()

   It prints 'A', 'B', 'C' separated by '*', ending with '!'. So output is 'A*B*C!'

2. Step 2: Analyze second print()

   It prints 'D' on the same line because first print ended with '!' (no newline).

3. Final Answer:

   A*B*C!D -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   sep='*', end='!' joins and ends line [OK]

Hint: Remember end='' keeps output on same line [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming default space separator
• Thinking end adds newline
• Ignoring end parameter effect

4. The following code prints 'Score:-10'. What is the fix to print 'Score: 10'?

print('Score:', score, sep='-')

Assuming score = 10.

medium

A. Convert score to string before printing.

B. Change sep to end parameter.

C. Remove sep parameter or use it correctly between multiple items.

D. Add parentheses around score.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand sep usage

   The sep='-' parameter places '-' between 'Score:' and score, resulting in 'Score:-10'.

2. Step 2: Identify the fix

   To print 'Score: 10' with default space separator, remove the sep parameter.

3. Final Answer:

   Remove sep parameter or use it correctly between multiple items. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   remove sep -> default space [OK]

Hint: Use sep only when printing multiple items [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing sep with end parameter
• Trying to convert variables unnecessarily
• Using sep with single string

5. How can you print the number 7.12345 rounded to 2 decimal places using print() and f-strings?

hard

A. print(f'{7.12345:2f}')

B. print(f'{7.12345:.2f}')

C. print(f'{7.12345:.2}')

D. print(f'{7.12345:.f2}')

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand f-string formatting

   To round a float to 2 decimals, use :.2f inside the braces.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   print(f'{7.12345:.2f}') uses correct syntax {value:.2f}. print(f'{7.12345:2f}') misses the dot before 2. print(f'{7.12345:.2}') uses wrong format specifier. print(f'{7.12345:.f2}') has incorrect order.

3. Final Answer:

   print(f'{7.12345:.2f}') -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Use .2f to round floats in f-strings [OK]

Hint: Use .2f inside f-string to round floats [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting the dot before precision
• Using wrong format specifiers
• Mixing order of letters and numbers