Understanding the Distinction between %s and %d in Python String Formatting

Python is a popular programming language that is widely used for various applications. One of the most important features of Python is its string formatting capabilities. String formatting is the process of creating a formatted string by replacing placeholders with values. In Python, string formatting is done using the % operator. However, there are two different placeholders that can be used with the % operator: %s and %d. In this article, we will explore the distinction between %s and %d in Python string formatting.

The %s Placeholder

The %s placeholder is used to represent a string value. When using the %s placeholder, the value that is being inserted into the string must be a string. For example, consider the following code:

“`

name = “John”

age = 25

print(“My name is %s and I am %d years old.” % (name, age))

“`

In this code, the %s placeholder is used to represent the name variable, which is a string. The value of the name variable is inserted into the string using the % operator. The output of this code would be:

“`

My name is John and I am 25 years old.

“`

As you can see, the value of the name variable is inserted into the string in place of the %s placeholder.

The %d Placeholder

The %d placeholder is used to represent an integer value. When using the %d placeholder, the value that is being inserted into the string must be an integer. For example, consider the following code:

“`

name = “John”

age = 25

print(“My name is %s and I am %d years old.” % (name, age))

“`

In this code, the %d placeholder is used to represent the age variable, which is an integer. The value of the age variable is inserted into the string using the % operator. The output of this code would be:

“`

My name is John and I am 25 years old.

“`

As you can see, the value of the age variable is inserted into the string in place of the %d placeholder.

The Difference between %s and %d

The main difference between %s and %d is the type of value that they represent. The %s placeholder is used for string values, while the %d placeholder is used for integer values. If you try to use the wrong placeholder for a value, you will get a TypeError.

For example, consider the following code:

“`

name = “John”

age = “25”

print(“My name is %s and I am %d years old.” % (name, age))

“`

In this code, the age variable is a string instead of an integer. When we try to insert it into the string using the %d placeholder, we get a TypeError:

“`

TypeError: %d format: a number is required, not str

“`

To fix this error, we need to use the %s placeholder instead:

“`

name = “John”

age = “25”

print(“My name is %s and I am %s years old.” % (name, age))

“`

In this code, we have used the %s placeholder for both the name and age variables. The output of this code would be:

“`

My name is John and I am 25 years old.

“`

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the distinction between %s and %d in Python string formatting is important for creating properly formatted strings. The %s placeholder is used for string values, while the %d placeholder is used for integer values. If you try to use the wrong placeholder for a value, you will get a TypeError. By using the correct placeholder for each value, you can create formatted strings that are easy to read and understand.

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• Source: https://zephyrnet.com/the-difference-between-s-and-d-in-python-string-formatting/