Python Syntax and Indentation

Introduction

In this chapter, we will learn about Python syntax and why indentation is important. Syntax refers to the rules for writing Python programs. Indentation means the spaces at the beginning of a line of code. In Python, indentation is not just for making code look nice; it is used to show blocks of code.

Python Syntax

Python syntax refers to the rules for writing code. Here are some basic rules:

Print Statement

The print function is used to show text on the screen. For example:

print("Hello, World!")

Variables

Variables are used to store data. You do not need to declare the type of variable. For example:

x = 5
y = "Hello"

Comments

Comments start with the # symbol. They are used to explain the code and are not run by Python. For example:

# This is a comment
print("Hello, World!")  # This is another comment

Basic Data Types

Python has several basic data types like integers, floats, strings, and booleans. For example:

x = 10          # Integer
y = 10.5        # Float
name = "John"   # String
is_student = True  # Boolean

Python Indentation

Indentation means the spaces at the beginning of a line of code. In Python, indentation is very important because it shows blocks of code.

Importance of Indentation

Indentation in Python shows which lines of code belong to which block. Without proper indentation, Python will give an error. Every block of code should have the same number of spaces.

Example of Indentation

Here is an example using an if statement:

if 5 > 2:
    print("Five is greater than two!")

In this example, the print statement is indented with four spaces. This indentation shows that the print statement is part of the if block.

Common Mistakes with Indentation

Mixing spaces and tabs: This can cause errors.
Incorrect Indentation Level: All lines in a block must have the same level of indentation.

Correct and Incorrect Indentation

Correct Indentation:

if 10 > 5:
    print("Ten is greater than five")
    print("This is also part of the block")

Incorrect Indentation:

if 10 > 5:
print("Ten is greater than five")  # This will cause an error
    print("This is inconsistent indentation")  # This will also cause an error

Conclusion

Understanding Python syntax and the importance of indentation is essential for writing correct Python code. In Python, indentation is used to show blocks of code, making it a critical part of the language. By following the rules of syntax and using consistent indentation, you can write clean and error-free Python programs.