--- title: 2.1 Printing Output description: Printing output is one of the first things every Python programmer learns. Almost every Python program displays some kind of information, such as a welcome message, the result of a calculation, or the value stored in a variable. Python provides… url: "https://edcret.in/docs/python-programming/basic-refreshers-python/2-1-printing-output/" updated: "2026-07-29" category: Python Programming / Basic Refreshers --- # 2.1 Printing Output Printing output is one of the first things every Python programmer learns. Almost every Python program displays some kind of information, such as a welcome message, the result of a calculation, or the value stored in a variable. Python provides a built-in function called `print()` to display information on the console. The `print()` function can display: - Text (strings) - Numbers - Variables - Expressions - Multiple values - Python objects such as lists, tuples, and dictionaries --- ## Syntax ``` print(*objects, sep=' ', end='\n') ``` ### Parameters | Parameter | Description | | --- | --- | | `*objects` | One or more values to display. | | `sep` | Separator inserted between multiple values. The default is a single space (`' '`). | | `end` | Character(s) printed after the output. The default is a newline (`'\n'`). | --- ## Example 1: Printing a String **main.py** ``` print("Hello World") ``` ### Output ``` Hello World ``` ### Explanation - `print()` is a built-in Python function used to display output on the console. - `"Hello World"` is a **string literal** enclosed in double quotes. - Python prints the string exactly as it appears. - After printing the text, `print()` automatically moves the cursor to the next line. --- ## Example 2: Printing Different Data Types **main.py** ``` print(100) print(99.95) print(True) ``` ### Output ``` 100 99.95 True ``` ### Explanation - `100` is an integer. - `99.95` is a floating-point number. - `True` is a Boolean value. - The `print()` function can display different data types without requiring any additional conversion. --- ## Example 3: Printing Variables **main.py** ``` name = "Alice" age = 22 print(name) print(age) ``` ### Output ``` Alice 22 ``` ### Explanation - The variable `name` stores the string `"Alice"`. - The variable `age` stores the integer `22`. - Passing a variable to `print()` displays the value stored in the variable. - Variable names should **not** be enclosed in quotes. Otherwise, Python prints the text instead of the variable's value. --- ## Example 4: Printing Text and Variables Together **main.py** ``` name = "Alice" marks = 92 print("Student:", name) print("Marks:", marks) ``` ### Output ``` Student: Alice Marks: 92 ``` ### Explanation - The first argument is a string literal. - The second argument is a variable. - Multiple values are separated using commas. - By default, Python inserts a single space between the printed values. --- ## Example 5: Printing Multiple Values **main.py** ``` print("Python", "Java", "C++") ``` ### Output ``` Python Java C++ ``` ### Explanation - Three strings are passed to the `print()` function. - Python prints them in the same order. - Since no separator is specified, a single space is automatically inserted between them. --- ## Example 6: Using the `sep` Parameter **main.py** ``` print("Python", "Java", "C++", sep=" | ") ``` ### Output ``` Python | Java | C++ ``` ### Explanation - `sep` stands for **separator**. - It specifies what should be printed between multiple values. - In this example, `" | "` is used instead of the default space. --- ## Example 7: Using the `end` Parameter **main.py** ``` print("Hello", end=" ") print("World") ``` ### Output ``` Hello World ``` ### Explanation - By default, every call to `print()` ends with a newline (`\n`). - The `end` parameter changes what is printed after the output. - Here, `end=" "` prints a space instead of moving to the next line. - As a result, the second `print()` continues on the same line. --- ## Example 8: Printing the Result of an Expression **main.py** ``` a = 10 b = 20 print(a + b) print(a * b) ``` ### Output ``` 30 200 ``` ### Explanation - `a + b` is an arithmetic expression. - `a * b` is another arithmetic expression. - Python evaluates each expression before passing the result to `print()`. - Only the final result of the expression is displayed. --- ## Example 9: Printing Python Collections **main.py** ``` print([10, 20, 30]) print((1, 2, 3)) print({"name": "Alice", "age": 22}) ``` ### Output ``` [10, 20, 30] (1, 2, 3) {'name': 'Alice', 'age': 22} ``` ### Explanation - `print()` can display Python objects directly. - The first statement prints a **list**. - The second statement prints a **tuple**. - The third statement prints a **dictionary**. - Python automatically converts these objects into a readable format before displaying them. --- # Common Mistakes ### 1. Forgetting Quotes Around a String **Incorrect** ``` print(Hello) ``` ### Output ``` NameError: name 'Hello' is not defined ``` **Reason** Python assumes `Hello` is a variable. Since no such variable exists, a `NameError` is raised. **Correct** ``` print("Hello") ``` --- ### 2. Forgetting Parentheses **Incorrect** ``` print "Hello" ``` ### Output ``` SyntaxError: Missing parentheses in call to 'print' ``` **Reason** In Python 3, `print` is a function and must always be called using parentheses. **Correct** ``` print("Hello") ``` --- ### 3. Printing the Variable Name Instead of Its Value **Incorrect** ``` name = "Alice" print("name") ``` ### Output ``` name ``` **Reason** The text `"name"` is a string literal, so Python prints it exactly as written. **Correct** ``` name = "Alice" print(name) ``` --- ### 4. Confusing `sep` and `end` **Incorrect Expectation** ``` print("A", "B", end="-") ``` ### Output ``` A B- ``` **Reason** The `end` parameter controls what is printed after the output, not between the values. **Correct** ``` print("A", "B", sep="-") ``` ### Output ``` A-B ``` --- # Key Points to Remember - `print()` is the built-in function used to display output on the console. - It can print strings, numbers, variables, expressions, and Python objects. - Multiple values can be printed in a single `print()` statement. - By default, values are separated by a single space. - The `sep` parameter changes the separator between multiple values. - The `end` parameter changes what is printed after the output. - Strings must always be enclosed in quotes. - Variables should be written without quotes. - `print()` automatically converts Python objects into a readable format before displaying them.