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Python Python Basics (Retired) Ins & Outs String Formatting

Mike Atkinson
Mike Atkinson
6,882 Points
Posted by Mike Atkinson
Mike Atkinson
6,882 Points

Discussion: "{}".format(var) compared to "%s" % (str(var))

Differences between

var = "Some String"
print("{}".format(var))

and

var = "Some String" 
print("%s" % (var))

1 Answer

Charlie L.
Charlie L.
10,120 Points
Charlie L.
Charlie L.
10,120 Points

I believe that the % syntax is older and less favored in python 3.3+. It requires you do specify what the value is through different notation (%s for str, %d for num, etc). The .format() seems to be more reliable in catering to all types of input.

In the end it may be preference to use one over the other but the .format() does seem to provide more usability.

I linked a post in stackoverflow that asked the same question: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5082452/python-string-formatting-vs-format

Mike Atkinson
Mike Atkinson
6,882 Points
Mike Atkinson
Mike Atkinson
6,882 Points

Thanks for the reply Charlie and thanks for the link, I'll check it out.