A format specifier is a sequence of characters used in strings to define how values should be formatted. It allows for the integration of variables and their formatting within string literals.
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Format specifiers are often used within curly braces {} in formatted string literals (f-strings).
Common format specifiers include types like 'd' for integer, 'f' for float, and 's' for string.
You can specify field width and precision using format specifiers, such as {:.2f} for a float with two decimal places.
Format specifiers can also include alignment options like '<', '>', or '^' to align text left, right, or center respectively.
Using format specifiers enhances code readability by embedding variable formatting directly within strings.
Review Questions
What character is typically used to denote a format specifier in f-strings?
How would you format a floating-point number to two decimal places using a format specifier?
Which alignment options are available within Python's format specifiers?
Related terms
Formatted String Literal (f-string): A type of string literal prefixed with an 'f' that allows expressions inside curly braces to be evaluated at runtime.
.format() method: .format() is a method available on strings that allows insertion of values into placeholders within the string.
String Interpolation: The process of embedding expressions or variable values within strings.