Strings: quotes, glue and templates

Invoice lines, Windows paths and email subjects are text. Quotes, concatenation and f-strings are the daily tools. Escapes, raw strings and triple quotes are the laptop tools for newlines and file paths.

Class notice message

Strings are text you can shape.

You will be able to

  • Build messages with f-strings
  • Concatenate and know quotes are a house-style choice
  • Know escapes, raw strings and triple quotes exist on a laptop

Workplace text is a string

Invoice numbers, paths and email subjects are text. Single and double quotes are the same type — pick one style and stay. f"Bill {amount} for {vendor}" fills holes from names. + glues two pieces; a template stays readable when there are five.

On a laptop, \n is a newline, r"C:\temp" is a raw string that does not eat backslashes, and triple quotes hold a multi-line usage blurb. This sandbox prints f-strings and concat; copy the extras when you write a CLI help text.

Digits in quotes are still text

"48000" is not an amount until you convert at the edge with int() on trusted digits. Repeating a string with * exists on a laptop ("na" * 3). Here, loop or write the line you need. Adjacent quoted literals glue on a laptop ('Py' 'thon'); variables still need +.

Laptop: raw, triple, repeat

print(r"C:\lab\dht")
print("""Usage:
  report.py LABEL
""")
print("go" * 2)

Words that matter

f-string
A quoted line with {name} holes.
Escape
A backslash sequence like \n — laptop.
Raw string
r"..." — backslashes stay literal.

Common mistakes

Avoid: Comparing "RSIL" == "rsil" and calling it a data error.

Do this: Lower both sides, then compare.

Run it step by step

Each box is a real program. Press Run, change a number, Run again — the output must follow your code.

1. Step 1 — fill a template

Change vendor. The sentence follows.

Python sandboxlesson://workspace
console

Edit the example, press Run, then Build if you want a compile check.

build

Press Build to compile.

2. Step 2 — glue a filing line

Concat for a short code + suffix.

Python sandboxlesson://workspace
console

Edit the example, press Run, then Build if you want a compile check.

build

Press Build to compile.

Example program — Clean a code, then a sentence

replace is a method you will use again in the next lesson.

Python sandboxlesson://workspace
console

Edit the example, press Run, then Build if you want a compile check.

build

Press Build to compile.

Your turn — Subject line

college = "RSIL Demo". Print a line that includes both RSIL Demo and Attendance.

Python sandboxlesson://workspace
console

Edit the example, press Run, then Build if you want a compile check.

build

Press Build to compile.

Self-assessment

Check your understanding before you mark the lesson complete.

1. INV-1042 should be stored as a…
2. f-strings are for…

Progress is stored in a browser cookie on this device.