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Python Python Basics (2015) Logic in Python Having a Conversation

Posted by orange sky
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
orange sky
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 4,945 Points

indents in python

Hello,

I am finding myself spending more time trying to figure out how to indent on workspace than learning the code. Can you please tell me the trick to not get stuck on indent errors.

thanks

john larson
john larson
16,594 Points

Hey Alex, I think Sky has moved on, but I enjoyed exploring this with you :D

2 Answers

Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,469 Points
Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,469 Points

Just remember these:

Always use four spaces. Don't use four spaces then later use some other amount of indentation.

# Note: this code is just examples it all of these would cause errors in Python

block:
    # Code must be indented four spaces
# Code outside all blocks can't be indented
block:
    # Block in block
    block:
        # Indent extra four spaces

I hope you understand now! ~alex

orange sky
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
orange sky
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 4,945 Points

Hello Alexander,

Thanks a lot for the explanation, but could you please use a real code to explain the green parts. I am still struggling to make sense of when to indent.

thanks!!

Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,469 Points

Here's an example:

name = "Alex"

def say_hello(name):
    # These if condition are part of the say_hello function so they are indented 4 spaces
    if name == None:
        print("Hello Stranger")
    elif name == "Alex":
        print("Why, hello, Alex!")
    elif name == "Orange Sky":
        print("Nice name!")
    else:
        print("Huh? Who are you?")

# This code isn't part of the say_hello function so it is outside of both the say_hello
# function and the "if" conditions
say_hello(name)
orange sky
seal-mask
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
orange sky
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 4,945 Points
orange sky
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
orange sky
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 4,945 Points

Hello Alexander,

In the around and around video, the for num in [1,2,3,4]: is not indented but the if num%2 == 0: us indented . I thought an if clause is also a block, why is the if clause indented with 4 spaces?

thanks

Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,469 Points

Can you provide a link to the video and also the time you saw that part (for example 2 minutes and 30 seconds into the video)?

Thanks ~alex

john larson
john larson
16,594 Points 
for num in [1,2,3,4]: # <-- if this is the start of this bit of programming, it would not be indented
    if num % 2 == 0:  # <-- this if is indented because it is acting on the previous line 
        print(num)  # <-- if there were a print, it would be indented



# if the whole thing were in a function, that whole block of code would be indented. 
# Maybe, (I haven't thought this # through)  every time there is a :, the next line is indented.
Alexander Davison
Alexander Davison
65,469 Points

You're right!

If the previous line has a colon at the end of the line, the next line of code is indented (unless it's a comment) an extra 4 spaces (or 1 tab)

Example:

def indent_example():
    for x in range(100):
        if x == 64:
            print("My favorite number!")
            for y in range(4):
                if y == 1:
                    print("Cool!")
                else:
                    print("Epic!")

And, in fact, if you want to try this program, you can run it for yourself :)

I hope you understand now.

~Alex