Variables and Expressions in Python

Understanding Variables and Expressions in Python

In this entry, we will explore two fundamental concepts in Python programming: variables and expressions. These are essential building blocks for writing more complex and dynamic code.

What is a Variable?

A variable is a name that holds a value. Think of it as a label for a container that stores data. Variables make it easier to write code because you can store information and reuse it throughout your program without having to repeat the value itself. For example, instead of writing the same number or text multiple times, you can store it in a variable and use the variable name.

Why Use Variables?

Variables help make your code more readable, maintainable, and flexible. Suppose you're working with fashion retail data, like the number of items sold by an eco-friendly brand. If the number changes, you only need to update the variable rather than changing every instance of that number in your code.

Here is a quick example:

# Number of eco-friendly shirts sold last month
shirts_sold = 120

# Number of shirts sold this month
shirts_sold = 135

In the example above, you can easily update the value of `shirts_sold` to reflect the new number of shirts sold without changing multiple lines of code.

Creating Variables

To create a variable in Python, you simply write the variable name followed by an equal sign (`=`) and then the value you want to assign to it. The syntax is: variable_name = value. For example:

# Store the price of a sustainable t-shirt
tshirt_price = 29.99

# Store the name of an eco-friendly brand
brand_name = "EcoThreads"

In these examples, tshirt_price is assigned the value 29.99, and brand_name is assigned the text EcoThreads. As you may noticed, EcoThreads is in quotation marks because is a string data type. You will learn more about data types in the respective entry.

Recommendations for Choosing Variable Names

Choosing good variable names is crucial for writing clear and understandable code. Here are some recommendations:

Be Descriptive: Use names that clearly describe the purpose of the variable, it doesn't matter if it looks long. For example, number_of_shirts_sold is better than n because it tells you exactly what the variable represents.

Use Lowercase and Underscores: Follow the convention of using lowercase letters with words separated by underscores _. For example, average_price is more readable than averageprice or AVERAGEPRICE.

Avoid Single Letters: Unless used in loops or mathematical expressions, single-letter variables like x or y can be confusing. Use them only when their purpose is very clear.

No Reserved Words: Avoid using Python reserved keywords like print, for, or class as variable names. These words have special meanings in Python and using them as variable names will cause errors.

Be Consistent: Stick to a consistent naming pattern throughout your code to maintain readability and prevent confusion.

Good naming makes your code easier to understand, not just for yourself but also for others who might read or use your code in the future.

Updating Variables

You can update the value of a variable at any time by assigning a new value to it using the same syntax. For example:

# Update the price of the t-shirt
tshirt_price = 34.99

# Change the name of the brand
brand_name = "GreenWear"

After running the code above, the variable tshirt_price now holds the value 34.99 instead of 29.99, and brand_name holds "GreenWear instead of "EcoThreads".

What is an Expression?

An expression in Python is a combination of values, variables, and operators that Python interprets and computes to produce another value. Expressions are the core of Python's ability to perform calculations and logic.

For example:

# Calculate the total revenue from selling 50 eco-friendly t-shirts
total_revenue = 50 * tshirt_price

Here, 50 * tshirt_price is an expression. Python evaluates this expression by multiplying 50 by the value of the tshirt_price variable. If tshirt_price is 34.99, then total_revenue will be 50 * 34.99, which equals 1749.5.

Using Expressions in Python

Expressions can involve arithmetic operators like +, -, *, /, as well as more complex operations using functions and methods. For instance:

# Calculate the discounted price of the t-shirt
discounted_price = tshirt_price * 0.9  # 10% discount

# Calculate the total number of items sold
total_items = shirts_sold + 25  # 25 more items sold this month

In the first line, tshirt_price * 0.9 is an expression that calculates the discounted price of the t-shirt. In the second line, shirts_sold + 25 adds 25 more items to the existing number of shirts sold.

Combining Variables and Expressions

You can also combine multiple variables and expressions to create more complex calculations:

# Calculate the profit from selling 50 t-shirts
cost_per_shirt = 15.00
profit = (tshirt_price - cost_per_shirt) * 50

Here, the expression (tshirt_price - cost_per_shirt) * 50 calculates the total profit by first subtracting the cost of each shirt from the selling price and then multiplying by the number of shirts sold.

Check out

Variables and expressions are foundational to any Python program. Variables allow you to store and update information easily, while expressions enable you to perform calculations and logic. As you continue to learn Python, you will see how these concepts are used in various contexts to create dynamic and powerful programs.

For more information, refer to the official Python documentation on variables and expressions

The author of this entry is Gustavo Rodriguez