Robert Johns | 10 Feb, 2025
Fact checked by Jim Markus

Python print() Function | Docs With Examples

The Python print() function is one of the most fundamental tools in Python.

It allows you to output text, variables, and formatted data to the console. Mastering print() is essential for debugging, displaying results, and interacting with users within your Python programs.

Basic Syntax

The print() function is super simple to use - just call it, pass a variable, and you're up and running:

print("Hello, World!")

Output:

Hello, World!

Printing Different Data Types

You can print all types of data in your Python editor, including integers, floats, strings, lists, tuples, and dictionaries:

print(42)            # Integer
print(3.14)         # Float
print("Hello")      # String
print([1, 2, 3])    # List
print((4, 5, 6))    # Tuple
print({"key": "value"})  # Dictionary

Output:

42
3.14
Hello
[1, 2, 3]
(4, 5, 6)
{'key': 'value'}

Printing Multiple Items

You can print multiple values by separating them with commas:

name = "Alice"
age = 25
print("Name:", name, "Age:", age)

Output:

Name: Alice Age: 25

Using the sep Parameter

By default, print() separates values with a space, but you can choose to customize the separator:

print("Python", "is", "awesome", sep="-")

Output:

Python-is-awesome

Using the end Parameter

By default, print() adds a newline at the end, but you can also customize this with the end parameter:

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

Output:

Hello World!

Formatting Output with f-strings

Python f-strings provide a modern way to format output:

name = "Alice"
age = 25
print(f"My name is {name} and I am {age} years old.")

Output:

My name is Alice and I am 25 years old.

Special Characters and Escaping

Special characters allow you to format text output but need to be escaped using a backslash (\) to avoid conflicts:

print("Hello\nWorld!")  # Newline
print("Tab\tSpace")      # Tab space
print("Quotes: \"Hello\"")  # Double quotes

Explanation:

  • \n creates a new line.

  • \t adds a tab space.

  • \" allows you to print double quotes inside a string.

Output:

Hello
World!
Tab    Space
Quotes: "Hello"

Printing to a File

You can redirect print() output to a file using a context manager (with open(...)). This ensures the file is properly closed after writing:

with open("output.txt", "w") as file:
    print("Hello, File!", file=file)

Explanation: Using with open() automatically handles closing the file, preventing resource leaks and ensuring data integrity. In short, they're a very Pythonic way to handle files.

Suppressing the Newline with end Parameter

If you want to print multiple statements on the same line:

print("Processing", end="...")
print("Done!")

Output:

Processing...Done!

Using print() for Debugging

Perhaps one of the most common ways to use print() is to inspect variables and debug your code on the fly:

debug_value = 42
print(f"Debugging: {debug_value}")

Output:

Debugging: 42

Key Takeaways

  • print() is a versatile function for outputting text and variables in your Python projects.
  • Customize output with sep, end, and formatting options like f-strings.
  • Redirect output to a file when needed.
  • Use print() for debugging to check variable values and flow of execution.

Practice Exercise

Here's a simple challenge, try writing a Python program that prints a number-formatted receipt:

item = "Laptop"
price = 999.99
print(f"Item: {item}\nPrice: ${price:.2f}")

Wrapping Up

The print() function is a fundamental part of Python programming. Whether you need to display simple messages, format complex outputs, or debug your code, understanding print() will enhance your coding efficiency. Happy coding!

By Robert Johns

Technical Editor for Hackr.io | 15+ Years in Python, Java, SQL, C++, C#, JavaScript, Ruby, PHP, .NET, MATLAB, HTML & CSS, and more... 10+ Years in Networking, Cloud, APIs, Linux | 5+ Years in Data Science | 2x PhDs in Structural & Blast Engineering

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