Python tutorial: python syntax

By Johnson

16 May 2024

Demystify python syntax with this beginner-friendly tutorial! learn essential concepts like indentation, variables, data types, and operators. build a strong foundation for writing clean and effective python code.

Welcome to the world of Python syntax! This tutorial dives into the essential rules that govern how you write Python programs. Just like a language has grammar, Python syntax defines the structure and organization of your code, making it readable and understandable by both you and the Python interpreter.

On this page you'll learn;
✓ How to Execute Python Syntax
✓ Python Indentation
✓ Python Variables
✓ Python Comments

1. Executing Python Syntax

As we learned in the previous page, Python syntax can be executed by writing directly in the Command Line:

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

Or by creating a python file on the server, using the .py file extension, and running it in the Command Line:

C:\Users\Your Name>python myfile.py

2. Python Indentation

Indentation refers to the spaces at the beginning of a code line.

Where in other programming languages the indentation in code is for readability only, the indentation in Python is very important.

Python uses indentation to indicate a block of code.

Example:

if 5 > 2:
  print("Five is greater than two!")

Python will give you an error if you skip the indentation:

Example
Syntax Error:

if 5 > 2:
print("Five is greater than two!")

The number of spaces is up to you as a programmer, the most common use is four, but it has to be at least one.

Example

if 5 > 2:
 print("Five is greater than two!") 
if 5 > 2:
        print("Five is greater than two!")

You have to use the same number of spaces in the same block of code, otherwise Python will give you an error:

Example
Syntax Error:

if 5 > 2:
 print("Five is greater than two!")
        print("Five is greater than two!")

3. Python Variables

In Python, variables are created when you assign a value to it:

Example
Variables in Python:

x = 5
y = "Hello, World!"

Python has no command for declaring a variable.

You will learn more about variables in the Python Variables chapter.

4. Comments

Python has commenting capability for the purpose of in-code documentation.

Comments start with a #, and Python will render the rest of the line as a comment:

Example
Comments in Python:

#This is a comment.
print("Hello, World!")