Understanding Python Code Structure

Structure of Python Code

Python code is structured using a combination of elements that include variables, functions, control flow, and classes. Here’s a simple and clear breakdown:

1. Variables and Data Types

Variables are used to store information, and they can hold different types of data such as numbers, strings, lists, and dictionaries.

# Examples of variables
name = "John"          # string
age = 25               # integer
height = 5.9           # float
is_student = True      # boolean
scores = [85, 90, 78]  # list

2. Functions

Functions are blocks of reusable code that perform a specific task. They help to organize and manage code.

# Defining a function
def greet(name):
    return f"Hello, {name}!"

# Calling a function
print(greet("Alice"))  # Output: Hello, Alice!

3. Control Flow

Control Flow structures like if, for, and while determine the flow of execution in the program.

If Statements

# If statement checks a condition
if age > 18:
    print("You are an adult.")
else:
    print("You are a minor.")

For Loops

# For loop iterates over a sequence
for score in scores:
    print(score)

While Loops

# While loop executes as long as a condition is true
count = 0
while count < 5:
    print(count)
    count += 1

4. Classes and Objects

Classes provide a means of bundling data and functionality together. Creating an object of a class allows you to access its methods and properties.

# Defining a class
class Person:
    def __init__(self, name, age):
        self.name = name
        self.age = age

    def greet(self):
        return f"Hello, my name is {self.name} and I am {self.age} years old."

# Creating an object of the class
person1 = Person("John", 30)

# Accessing methods and properties
print(person1.greet())  # Output: Hello, my name is John and I am 30 years old.

5. Importing Modules

You can use libraries or modules that come with Python or third-party modules to extend the functionality of your program.

# Importing a module
import math

# Using a function from the imported module
print(math.sqrt(16))  # Output: 4.0

Summary

• Variables store data and have types like string, int, float, etc.
• Functions encapsulate reusable code blocks.
• Control Flow structures (if, for, while) manage the program's execution flow.
• Classes and Objects support object-oriented programming features.
• Modules allow code to be reused and organized into separate files.

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