How to add a new line in Python?

#python #tutorial #beginners #programming

In this short tutorial, we look at how to add a Python new line. We look at the Python new line character and how the other methods can be used.

This tutorial is a part of our initiative at Flexiple, to write short curated tutorials around often used or interesting concepts.

Python new line:

In programming, it is a common practice to break lines and display content in a new line. This improves the readability of the output. Apart from that, you would frequently come across the new line character a lot while working with files.

Hence it is quite important that you understand how to add a new line and familiarise yourself with how the new line character works. This tutorial is aimed to do the same.

Newline character in Python:

In Python, the new line character “\n” is used to create a new line. When inserted in a string all the characters after the character are added to a new line. Essentially the occurrence of the “\n” indicates that the line ends here and the remaining characters would be displayed in a new line.

Code and Explanation:

str_1 = "Hire the top \n1% freelance developers"

print(str_1)
‘’’Output - Hire the top 
1% freelance developers’’’

As aforementioned, the character after the new line character is printed in a new line.

Different ways to implement this would include either adding it to string directly, or concatenating it before printing it.
A common question that beginners have while learning how to apply a new line is - since we are adding it to a string - Why doesn’t Python print “\n” as it is? And how does it know that a new line must be added?

Well, the backslash (“\”) in the new line character is called an escape sequence. Escape sequences are used to add anything illegal to a string. This way Python understands that the following character is not a part of a string and executes it.

Multiline Strings:

Multiline strings are another easy way to print text in a new line. As the name suggests the string itself spans over multiple lines. These strings can be assigned by using either 3 double quotes or 3 single quotes. Python understands that the string is a multiline string and prints it as such.

Code and Explanation:

str_1 = """Hire the top 
1% freelance 
developers"""

print(str_1)

'''Output - Hire the top 
1% freelance 
developers'''

In the above example, the string is printed in the same way as the information was passed.

Closing thoughts - Python new line:

Although both methods can be used in Python to add new lines I would recommend using the first method as it is the most commonly accepted method. Also, given Python has an in-built character that facilitates this it is best to utilize it.

However, please feel free to explore and understand how the multiline method works.