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Python Python Basics Types and Branching String Methods

Why would the "format" go after an argument? "You just bought {} {}.".format(3, "fidget spinners")

I am confused on the format function following after the initial quotation of "You just bought {} {}.".format(3, "fidget spinners"

Why wouldn't we just start another line to do the format? I feel like this method may just confuse learners since we did it previously another way.

1 Answer

Jason Wiram
Jason Wiram
42,762 Points

The format method is not following an argument is this example. It is helpful to identify the parts individually.

"You just bought {} {}.".format(3, "fidget spinners") has the following:

  • a String of "You just bought {} {}." (the brackets are special characters but it is still a single String)
  • a String method of .format()
  • two arguments to the .format() method of (3, "fidget spinners")

You could (as in the video) create a variable and set it to the value of the string and then (on a separate line) call .format() on the variable (passing in the arguments). This would accomplish the same thing.