4.12 Output

print()

The standard way to write text to the console. Accepts any number of arguments, converts each to a string, and prints them separated by spaces by default.

>>> print("Hello", "World")
Hello World

sep

What Is It?

The sep parameter controls what string is inserted between multiple arguments (default is a single space).

Why Is It Used?

Quick formatting of joined output without building a string manually first.

>>> print("a", "b", "c", sep="-")
a-b-c

end

What Is It?

The end parameter controls what’s printed after all the arguments (default is a newline \n).

Why Is It Used?

To print without starting a new line afterward, e.g. building output incrementally on the same line.

>>> print("x", end="")
>>> print("y")
xy

Escape Characters

A quick preview here — the full reference is 4.13 Escape Characters.

>>> print("Line1\nLine2")
Line1
Line2

Formatted Output

f-strings (Python 3.6+) are the modern, preferred way to embed variables directly into printed text.

>>> name, score = "Alice", 95.5
>>> print(f"{name} scored {score}%")
Alice scored 95.5%

Quick Interview Answer

“print() converts every argument to a string, joins them with sep (default a single space), and finishes with end (default a newline). Setting end=\"\" is the standard way to print multiple things on the same line. f-strings (f\"{name} scored {score}%\") are the modern way to embed variables directly into output, rather than manual string concatenation.”

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting that print() adds a trailing newline by default — leads to unexpected extra blank lines when building output piece by piece without setting end="".
• Using old-style % formatting or manual + concatenation for new code instead of f-strings, making output harder to read and edit.