Python- Day 14- Styling Your Python Code
As you start writing longer programs, it’s important to style your code in a way that’s easy to read. Clear, readable code helps you understand what your program is doing and makes it easier for others to follow.
Python programmers follow certain style rules to keep their code consistent and readable. These guidelines ensure that once you learn how to write clean Python code, you’ll be able to understand other’s code more easily too. If you want to become a professional programmer, it’s good to start following these rules early on.
The Python Style Guide (PEP 8)
One of the most important style guides for Python is PEP 8. It provides recommendations on how to write clean, readable Python code. PEP 8 is long, but here are the key points that matter as you start coding.
Indentation
- Use four spaces per indentation level.
- Don’t mix tabs and spaces — it can confuse the Python interpreter.
- Set up your text editor to convert tabs into spaces automatically when you press the TAB key.
Line Length
- Try to keep each line under 80 characters.
- This helps when you have multiple files open on the screen, allowing you to see everything easily.
- Keep comments to 72 characters per line so that they fit well with documentation tools.
While the 80-character limit isn’t a strict rule, many teams follow it. Most editors let you set a visual guide to help you stick to this limit.
Blank Lines
- Use blank lines to organize your code into sections, but don’t overdo it.
- For example, if you have a block of code building a list, and another block doing something with it, put a blank line between the two.
- Blank lines improve readability but don’t affect how the program runs.
Other Style Tips
There are many more style suggestions in PEP 8, but they mostly apply to more complex programs. As you learn more about Python, you’ll encounter these recommendations when needed.
By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to write clean and professional Python code from the start!
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